September 8-14 marks National Healthcare Environmental Services Week. In honor of this special week, I had the opportunity to celebrate on 17N with two incredibly dedicated housekeepers, Kathy Senese and Rosa Arriaza.
While spending time with Kathy and Rosa, we discussed the vital role housekeepers play at Stony Brook University Hospital. This team is essential to ensure appropriate procedures are followed as they clean rooms from top to bottom… literally!
From high-level dusting on upper shelving, window casings and light fixtures to surface cleaning sinks, counters and restrooms, and to mopping down patient room floors and hallways, housekeepers keep our patients, visitors and employees safe by eliminating opportunities for infections.
Besides the responsibility of cleaning patient rooms several times a day, housekeepers are called as part of a response team when flooding occurs. They use special equipment to adequately absorb water and work closely with the infection control team, nursing and the physical plant team to minimize damage and provide a safe and clean environment.
While speaking with Kathy and Rosa, I asked them about the best part of their job. Both are proud of the important role they play and thoroughly enjoy the relationships they develop with patients and families to provide as pleasant a stay as possible. While cleaning a patient’s room, they can determine the mood of a patient or family member, and take the opportunity to lift spirits by lending an ear to listen to concerns or worries, or provide a friendly exchange to set minds at ease.
Kathy and Rosa do more than clean the patient rooms. They are able to present themselves as a non-healthcare team member and engage in conversation that does not include medical information. They both feel that this is the most satisfying part of their jobs – to serve as a member of the team supporting our patients.
Kathy and Rosa also mentioned how they value the relationship of those with whom they work on the unit. The nursing team on 17N embraces the role played by our housekeeping team and considers them part of the unit’s highly functional team that supports patient care.
Thanks to Kathy, Rosa and all of our housekeeping staff for striving to create a clean, safe and welcoming environment for our patients, family and staff.
Carol
