The Environmental Sanitation Operation ensures that the facility will be maintained in a state of physical and biological cleanliness and appearance, which fully meets the sanitary and

aesthetic requirements for our Veterans and Customers.

Management Briefing FY15

Scope of ServicesEnvironmental Management Service (EMS) provides a

variety of support throughout the Medical Center: Interior Design:

A professional in determining the appropriate design and decor for the West Palm Beach Medical Center facility, related clinics, and off-site facilities. Decisions are made by the incumbent to ensure the decor is aesthetically and psychologically conducive to the patients' well being.

Pest Control: Utilizes suitable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control methods to reduce and control hazards to public

health, stored products, structures, and vegetation the employee selects, mixes, and applies restricted and general use pesticides.

Scope of ServicesContinued

 Paint Shop:

Work involves the performance of brush, roller, and/or spray painting and decorating interior and exterior surfaces of buildings, structures, equipment, and furnishings where appearance as well as surface protection is important.

Sanitation: Performs the full range of cleaning duties in the assigned area. Proper dust mopping and double bucket wet/damp

mopping is required. Cleaning procedures will be utilized in accordance with established policy/procedure manual.

Textile & Laundry Operations: Is a large consolidated plant in VISN 8 which does approximately two and half million pounds of soiled linen per

year. Areas of responsibilities include, West Palm Beach VA, Miami VA and all outlying six (6) Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC’s) for each facility. Linens are delivered to its customers by VA employees using Tractor Trailers and Box Truck.

Staff Variance:

Vacant positions include: (1)- EMS Supervisor (1)- Supply Technician (5)- Housekeeping Aids-WG-3 (13)- Housekeeping Aids-WG-2 (1)- Clerk-GS-4 (1)- Laundry Equipment Operator (1)- Laundry Machine Operator (1)- Laundry Worker

EMS Currently has 24 vacancies with an average rate of 16.3% an overall increase of 5.3% from FY14.

R e a s o n for L e a v i n g P o s i t i o n :

The largest number of employees (18) resigned from Housekeeping Aid positions, with the next highest at (10) for promotions to other service; (4) Retired; (4) Terminated; (1) Transfer to other VA and (1) transferred to other agency.

Staff Development:

EMS has identified critical positions that are currently being developed to bridge the gap between front line employees and first level supervision, i.e., higher-level WG series positions: Waste Management and Recycling. We also will be working on creating a position for an EMS Supervisor Forman that could possibly bridge the gap between first level supervision to middle management.

EMS reports employee promotions and the service they are joining as a standing agenda item

at the monthly staff meeting. We are also working on developing higher level WG positions for potential advancement within the service.

Employee Engagement | Performance Management Employee Training & Career Development |

Workplace Climate Work-Life Balance | Leadership Development | Rewards & Recognition

Best Practices associated with performance, outcomes or cost :

Steriplex cleaner/ disinfectant has replaced the multiple disinfectants that were used in patient care areas of the facility. Steriplex is a silver based compound with EPA approval and efficacy data showing its effectiveness in the elimination of Clostridium Difficile ( c diff).

This disinfectant is being used in every patient care area and has dramatically decreased the number of Hospital acquired infections. As Steriplex is a cleaning agent it is the only chemical being used by the housekeeping staff in patient rooms during the cleaning/ disinfection two step process.

Continued:

Water Electrolysis Systems has substituted the following cleaners:

Neutral cleaner Glass Stainless steel General purpose          Carpet Degreaser Stain remover

Purchased (2)

L a u n d r y C o s t o f O p e r a t i o n s :

L a u n d r y C o s t o f O p e r a t i o n s :C o n t i n u e d :

L a u n d r y C o s t o f O p e r a t i o n s :C o n t i n u e d :

Cont inued :

Cont inued :

. . .Cont inued :

P e s t M a n a g e m e n t :

Room Maintenance ProgramIn February 2015 the Room Maintenance Program was initiated to address all aspects of EOC within each patient room on a scheduled basis. One room is closed each day remains closed (6 to 8hrs until the following work and inspection are completed:

EMS

Wall repair Paint work Floor care Mattress inspection/ replacement Deep cleaning/ initial disinfection Second level disinfection (Steriplex Mist) Furniture inspection/replacement

FMS

Equipment preventative maintenance

Duct/Vent cleaning Utility inspection/ repair

WALL REPAIR- Damaged walls are patched. Broken walls and corner guards are replaced.

MATTRESS INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT-Mattresses are inspected and replaced when damaged or

excessive wear is identified.

DEEP CLEANING & INITIAL DISINFECTION-The patient room is deep cleaned and disinfected with

Steriplex using a two step process.

UTILITY INSPECTION AND REPAIR- All utilities (electrical, plumbing and lighting) are

inspected and deficiencies are corrected immediately.

West Palm Beach VAMC is working to expand this program to include all outpatient clinics and procedure rooms.

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Task 4

Task 5

Checklist of TasksA checklist is maintained to ensure all work is completed and to track recurring issues. The schedule is shared with Nursing, Facilities Management and Environmental Management services. This ensures minimal disruption to patient flow and allows the program to remain consistent and successful.

Each service involved are responsible to fill out their portion of the checklist that is posted in the room during the project.

Once completed the checklist is maintained by EMS for tracking purposes.

PA I N T S H O P

The Paint Shop decreased turnaround time by 15% from FY14 to FY15.

EMS remains fiscally responsible and was able to decrease FY16 budget by 7%.

Budget- EMS decreased Budget for FY15 with the exception of OT: Increase due to Room Maintenance Program.

EMS Paper Products

EMS is seeing an 8% deduction in the purchase of paper products for FY15.