1. No category

Corporate Policy & Procedures
Therapy / Recreational Aid &
Toy Cleaning
Approved by:
Vice President & Chief Medical Officer
Manual
Policy No. VI-35
Date Approved
April 27, 2015
Date Effective
May 8, 2015
Next Review (3 years from Effective
Date)
May 2018
Purpose
To provide guidance in selecting appropriate therapy/recreational aids and toys, as well as
recommendations for cleaning such items within Covenant Health facilities.
Policy
Statement
Covenant Health Infection Prevention & Control is committed to patient/resident/client1
safety at all levels of the organization by supporting and promoting an environment that
encourages infection prevention and control best practices surrounding the selection and
cleaning of therapy/recreational aids and toys.
Applicability
This policy applies to all Covenant Health facilities, staff, members of the medical staff,
volunteers, students and to any other persons acting on behalf of Covenant Health.
Responsibility Covenant Health health care providers and volunteers are responsible for creating and
sustaining an environment that supports an infection control program that effectively
prevents transmission of pathogens via therapy/recreational aids and toys.
Principles
Toys, therapy aids, and recreational items in healthcare facilities and waiting rooms
frequently become contaminated with pathogens, encouraging the transmission of microorganisms from person to person. In order to protect all individuals in healthcare facilities,
it is vital that appropriate toys and therapy/ recreational aids are chosen and that a
cleaning procedure and schedule is implemented.
This policy does not apply to electronic devices/equipment. Please refer to the “Related
Documents” section below for more information.
1. The following therapy/recreational aids and toys are contraindicated for shared use in
waiting rooms or common spaces. If these items are used, they must be dedicated to
one patient for the duration of their hospitalization or need for the aid:
•
•
•
•
•
water retaining items
plush items
items with crevices/holes that are difficult to clean
porous items
any item that has a non-wipeable surface
2. Choose items that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. Items must have easily
wipeable surfaces. Hard surface items are recommended.
3. Families and staff must be advised to place the items the patient has handled in a dirty
bin when they leave the area.
1
Hereafter, all references to 'patients' includes residents and clients.
Therapy/Recreational Aid & Toy Cleaning
Date Effective
May 8, 2015
Policy No.
VI-35
Page 2 of 5
4. Dirty items bin must be cleaned/disinfected with hospital approved non-toxic
disinfectant (i.e. accelerated hydrogen peroxide wipes, hypochlorite wipes or
hypochlorite solution 1:100 mixed fresh) when scheduled cleaning occurs.
5. Clean items must be separated from dirty items.
6. Other items (eg. large stationary toys) and playroom surfaces must be disinfected daily
or more frequently if visibly soiled.
NOTE: If dirty items cannot be cleaned in a timely fashion and if large stationary
items/playroom surfaces cannot be cleaned on a daily basis and when
visibly soiled, then items must be downsized or completely removed.
7. Items must be discarded if they become damaged and unable to be cleaned and
disinfected thoroughly.
Procedure
1.
Equipment
Supplies required for cleaning therapy/recreational aids and toys include:
• gloves
• dish soap
• disposable cloth(s) i.e. paper towel
• dry towel(s)
• hospital-approved non-toxic disinfectant (i.e. accelerated hydrogen
peroxide wipes, hypochlorite wipes or hypochlorite solution 1:100 mixed
fresh)
• clean container
2.
Cleaning Procedure
2.1
Designate a clean working area for cleaning. Ensure that clean items are
separated from dirty toys and other dirty equipment.
2.2
Thoroughly clean and disinfect sink and countertop with hospital-approved
non-toxic disinfectant before cleaning.
Perform hand hygiene and don gloves prior to cleaning.
2.3
NOTE: Other personal protective equipment may be required as per WHMIS and
hazard assessment.
2.4
Using a disposable cloth, clean items by scrubbing with dish soap and
warm tap water to remove secretions and surface dirt.
2.5
Dry items with a clean, dry towel or disposable cloth.
2.6
Disinfect items by wiping with a disposable, hospital-approved non-toxic
disinfectant wipe. Ensure that the surface remains wet for the approved
contact time and then thoroughly rinse with tap water.
Therapy/Recreational Aid & Toy Cleaning
Date Effective
May 8, 2015
Policy No.
VI-35
Page 3 of 5
NOTE: Do not use products such as phenolics (i.e. Triad™) or Metriguard™,
which are harmful to the patient if they come in contact with mucous
membranes.
3.
2.7
Air-dry items and place them in a clean container.
2.8
Disinfect dirty bin with hospital-approved non-toxic disinfectant once items
have been removed from bin. Ensure that the surface remains wet for the
approved contact time and then thoroughly rinse with tap water.
2.9
Return clean bin with contents to appropriate area.
Cleaning Schedule
3.1
Patient designated items should be cleaned regularly (at minimum monthly)
and when visibly soiled.
3.2
Launder plush items along with patient clothing (at minimum monthly).
Plush items should not be shared between individuals and are for personal
use only.
3.3
Items in a common area should be cleaned after each group event and
daily where there is daily activity.
3.4
Items on a unit as part of Dementia Care should be cleaned daily.
3.5
Cleaning of these items should be documented. Refer to Appendix A:
Sample Cleaning Log.
NOTE: Where items are monitored and staff can ensure items that have been
handled are placed in a bin designated for ‘dirty’ items, only the items in
the Dirty Bin need to be cleaned.
4.
Patient Teaching
4.1
Ensure that staff and families are aware of the purpose of the dirty bin and
where the dirty bin is located.
4.2
Hand hygiene by staff, volunteers, family, and patient must occur prior to
use of these items and be encouraged following use of these items.
4.3
Be aware of patient use of toys and therapy/recreational aids to minimize
risk of transmission of infection.
Definitions
Health care provider means any person who provides goods or services to a patient,
inclusive of health care professionals, staff, students, volunteers and other persons acting
on behalf of or in conjunction with Covenant Health.
Related
Documents
Alberta Health Services & Covenant Health Infection Prevention & Control Best Practice
Guideline:
Therapy/Recreational Aid & Toy Cleaning
•
Date Effective
May 8, 2015
Policy No.
VI-35
Page 4 of 5
“Cleaning and Disinfection of Information Technology and Telephone
Equipment Devices”
Covenant Health Infection Prevention & Control
• “Hand Hygiene Auditor Information – HandyAudit iPad Q&A Sheet”
References
1. Alberta Health Services – Environmental Public Health (2014). Health and safety
guidelines for child care facilities. Retrieved March 3, 2015 from:
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/EnvironmentalHealth/wf-eh-health-safetyguidlines-child-care-facilities.pdf
2. Good Samaritan Society (2013). Toys: Cleaning of. The Good Samaritan Society
Process Manual.
3. Flemming K. & Randle J. (2006) Toys – friend or foe? A study of infection risk in a
paediatric intensive care unit. Paediatric Nursing 18 (4): 14-18.
4. Hanrahan K.S. & Lofgren M. (2004). Evidence-based practice: Examining the risk of
toys in the microenvironment of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Advances in
Neonatal Care 4(4): 184-201.
5. McLay, C. (2014). Child care services. APIC Text of Infection Control and
Epidemiology (4th Edition). Retrieved March 3, 2015 from: http://text.apic.org/item53/chapter-52-child-care-services
6. Posfay-Barbe K.M., Zerr D.M. & Pittet D. (2008). Infection Control in paediatrics. The
Lancet Infectious Diseases 8 (1): 19-31.
7. Siegel J.D., Rhinehart E., Jackson M., Chiarello L. & The Healthcare Infection Control
Practices Advisory Committee (2007). Guidelines for isolation precautions: Preventing
transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. Retrieved March 3, 2015 from:
http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/isolation/Isolation2007.pdf
West, K.L., Nyquist, A., Bair, T., Berg, W., & Spencer, S. (2014). Pediatrics. APIC Text
of Infection Control and Epidemiology (4th Edition). Retrieved March 3, 2015 from:
http://text.apic.org/item-43/chapter-42-pediatrics/considerations-in-pediatric-infectionprevention-and-control
Revisions
May 17, 2013
November 1, 2010
Therapy/Recreational Aid & Toy Cleaning
Date Effective
May 8, 2015
Appendix A: Sample Cleaning Log
Policy No.
VI-35
Page 5 of 5