Which Hygiene Standards Apply to Cleaning in Healthcare Facilities?
Healthcare facilities are subject to much stricter hygiene standards than ordinary office environments. Contamination can have immediate consequences for people who are often already vulnerable. That is why cleaning is carried out according to established protocols, national guidelines, and a clear distinction between cleaning and disinfection. Additional requirements also apply to cleaning staff.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly what those requirements are, which guidelines apply, and how Reino approaches healthcare cleaning.
Contents
- Why hygiene standards are stricter in healthcare
- Which guidelines apply to healthcare cleaning
- Cleaning and disinfection are not the same
- Colour coding and correct use of material
- Risk classification, not every area is the same
- Requirements for cleaning staff
- Measuring and demonstrating quality
- How Reino approaches healthcare cleaning
Why Hygiene Standards Are Stricter in Healthcare
Healthcare environments require stricter hygiene standards because the risk of infection is higher and the consequences are more severe. Every day, GP practices, dental clinics, residential care facilities, and hospitals treat people with weakened immune systems. Micro-organisms that are harmless to healthy individuals can cause healthcare-associated infections in these patients.
Healthcare cleaning is therefore about much more than creating a visibly clean environment. Its purpose is to reduce the number of micro-organisms to a safe level. Achieving this requires specialist knowledge, standardised procedures, and measurable results.
Which Guidelines Apply to Healthcare Cleaning?
The main guidelines are the former WIP guidelines, the newer SRI guidelines, and HACCP requirements for areas where food is prepared or handled.
-
WIP and SRI Guidelines. For many years, the Dutch Working Party on Infection Prevention (WIP) developed the national infection prevention guidelines. Since 2021, these guidelines have gradually been revised by the Dutch Collaboration for Infection Prevention Guidelines (SRI). Existing WIP guidelines remain valid until they are replaced by an updated SRI guideline. These guidelines describe, among other things, how areas should be cleaned and disinfected.
-
HACCP. Kitchens and pantries must comply with HACCP food safety requirements. This includes maintaining a strict separation between clean and contaminated areas and following fixed cleaning schedules.
-
Quality Certifications. Quality marks such as SieV! (Cleaning Is a Profession) demonstrate that a cleaning company operates according to recognised quality standards.
Important: Cleaning staff are responsible for cleaning the premises, not medical equipment. Medical devices are cleaned exclusively by healthcare professionals. This clear separation of responsibilities helps prevent mistakes and ensures accountability.
Cleaning and Disinfection Are Not the Same
Cleaning and disinfection are two separate processes. Disinfection always takes place after cleaning.
- Cleaning removes visible dirt and invisible organic matter, reducing the opportunity for micro-organisms to spread.
- Disinfection destroys or inactivates any remaining micro-organisms. It is carried out only when necessary, for example after contamination with blood or other bodily fluids.
Not every surface requires disinfection. Unnecessary disinfection increases costs, places unnecessary strain on the environment, and provides no additional benefit if the surface has not first been cleaned properly. In the Netherlands, only disinfectants approved by the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) may be used on surfaces.
Colour Coding and Correct Use of Materials
To prevent cross-contamination, healthcare cleaning uses a colour-coded system. Each coloured cloth or cleaning material is assigned to a specific type of area.
- Red: Toilets and contaminated areas
- Blue: General areas and furniture
- Green: Kitchens and food preparation areas
This ensures that the same cloth is never used in both a toilet and on an office desk. Microfibre cloths are also preferred because they capture significantly more micro-organisms than conventional cleaning cloths, further improving hygiene.
Risk Classification, Not Every Area Is the Same
Different areas require different cleaning methods. Spaces are classified according to their level of risk, which determines both the cleaning frequency and the required procedures.
| Risk classification | Examples | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Low risk | Waiting rooms, corridors, offices | Daily cleaning focused on maintaining visible cleanliness. |
| Medium risk | Treatment rooms, sanitary facilities | Daily cleaning with extra attention to high-touch surfaces. |
| High risk | Treatment areas involving open wounds, cleanrooms | Cleaning followed by disinfection according to strict protocols. |
High-touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches, and handrails receive additional attention because these are the primary points where contamination is transferred.
Requirements for Cleaning Staff
The requirements apply not only to cleaning procedures but also to the people carrying out the work.
-
Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). For employees working in healthcare environments, we require a Dutch Certificate of Good Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG). This provides assurance that trustworthy personnel are working in a sensitive environment.
-
Personal Hygiene. Employees do not wear rings, watches, or bracelets while working, and they keep their nails short and free from nail polish. This helps prevent the build-up of dirt and micro-organisms.
-
Dedicated Cleaning Staff. We assign permanent cleaning staff to each location. Familiar staff members know the building, the protocols, and the agreed procedures. This creates consistency and improves service quality.
-
Recognisable Workwear. Our employees always wear clearly identifiable work clothing so it is immediately obvious who is authorised to work within the facility.
Measuring and Demonstrating Quality
Hygiene standards have little value unless results can be verified. That is why we digitally document all cleaning activities.
Using the Appreo platform and digital logbooks, we record what has been cleaned and when. If an issue arises or an urgent cleaning task is required, employees can immediately contact their supervisor through the app. This keeps quality measurable and allows rapid corrective action. For healthcare organisations, this is essential because audits and inspections require clear evidence that cleaning has been carried out according to agreed procedures.
How Reino Approaches Healthcare Cleaning
At Reino, we combine all of these requirements into one structured approach. Our employees are trained specifically for healthcare environments and are fully familiar with disinfection protocols. We use environmentally responsible cleaning products, assign dedicated cleaners to each location, and monitor quality digitally through Appreo. For controlled environments such as cleanrooms, we also provide specialist expertise.
From waiting rooms to treatment areas, we ensure a clean and safe environment so you can focus on delivering high-quality care. Would you like to know what this approach would look like for your facility? Request a no-obligation quotation.
