EMERGING AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

1) WHAT ARE EMERGING AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES?

The CDC defines infectious diseases as “illnesses caused by germs (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that enter the body, multiply, and cause an infection.” Depending on the disease, there are different ways that it can be spread:

From one person to another
Through germs carried in air, water, food, or soil
By insects, ticks, or animals

Emerging diseases are infections that have increased recently or are threatening to increase in the near future. These infections could be:

Newly discovered
Completely new to an area
Reappearing in an area
Caused by bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics

2) HOW DO WE REDUCE THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS & EMERGING DISEASES?

There are various pathogenic microorganisms that can be infectious, which have differing levels of difficulty to inactivate . Many of the recent emerging pathogens we have seen are enveloped viruses, including Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Enveloped viruses are more susceptible to disinfectants, so they are less difficult to inactivate. This also means, however, that they are easier to spread and re-contaminate.

3) WHEN SHOULD I CALL IN A PROFESSIONAL?

If your facility has had confirmed or possible exposure to an infectious disease you may want to call in a professional like ServiceMaster Restore to disinfect.

4) HOW CAN SERVICEMASTER RESTORE HELP?

A. Our expert technicians are trained to clean first to break organic loads and remove gross soiling. Then they sanitize or disinfect as appropriate. They are capable of completing large-scale disinfection of facilities with an enhanced focus on high touch and common areas where contaminants could be easily spread (Elevator buttons, escalator rails, material handling equipment, break rooms, front counters, etc).

B. When we do this, we follow the guidelines set in place by the CDC, EPA, FDA, WHO, etc. There are many methods of disinfection and you can be assured that your technician is trained to do each in the recommended manner. Our technicians also use appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) with your security and privacy in consideration.

5) WHAT IS RECONTAMINATION?

Though we disinfect using the recommended products and protocols, someone entering the space can then re-contaminate after the disinfection.

6) WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF?

A. Follow CDC recommendations including using appropriate hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and social distancing.

B. Maintain general preparedness: Your business continuity response plan should include protocols for infectious diseases and pandemics. Maintaining routine cleanliness and encouraging hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette are great ways to keep yourself and those around you healthy.

If you need help disinfecting your facility, the experts at ServiceMaster Restore can help.

Image credit: ICP Building Solutions Group’s Benefect Coronavrius Guidelines”

SERVICEMASTER AS A PROVIDER
OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES

The professional disaster recovery, commercial and residential cleaning industries are essential services, responsible for the protection of public health and property. We play a vital role in protecting our nation’s public health in both commercial and consumer settings. As the current COVID-19 crisis has unfolded, orders have been promulgated largely at the state and local level with respect to decisions to shelter in place and limit movements. One common theme, however, is a recognition of the vital importance of service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety and sanitation of businesses, public institutions and residences.
ServiceMaster has been providing services to consumers and businesses since 1929. During that time, we have developed industry-leading training and protocols. ServiceMaster Restore, ServiceMaster Clean and Merry Maids have thousands of technicians and service providers trained, tested and certified in the use of the proper products and personal protective equipment (PPE) that enables them to effectively clean and disinfect homes and businesses. As providers of essential services, we are prepared to address the most pressing cleaning and disinfection issues facing our customers, whether it involves cleaning schools, public institutions and businesses during shutdown periods, or the day-to-day needs of homes and healthcare facilities. As families are spending more time at home in self-isolation and quarantine in close proximity, it is even more critical that they receive disinfection and sanitization of their homes by residential cleaning services like Merry Maids. We cannot afford to have our medical facilities, schools, offices or homes rendered dangerous due to risk of infection, particularly as we tell citizens to stay home.

Downloads Available below

Preventive considerations for mitigating infection risk.

Hand washing guide for mitigating infection.

High touch cleaning
checklist.