Infection Prevention Frequently Asked Questions

Consider the findings of a recent U.S. survey:

• 87% of Americans want proof workplaces and businesses are following a regular cleaning and sanitation regimen.
• 89% say that even as the country opens and more people get vaccinated, they will remain more conscious of germs than before.
• Nine out of 10 of those surveyed say that even after vaccination, they’re concerned with the cleanliness of businesses they frequent and expect them to make cleaning and sanitation a priority. 
• 76% will speak up and ask businesses about their cleaning and sanitation practices before they enter.

Eight out of 10 surveyed would love to see COVID-19 safety inspections requiring health officials to inspect businesses, workplaces, and schools for proper germ disinfection.

These statistics speak loud and clear: Whether yours is an office building, retail shop, restaurant, school, or another commercial or public facility, to keep your building occupants safe, happy, and coming through your doors, you are going to have to provide a clean, healthy environment—and be able to prove it.

Accredited Infection Prevention Audit FAQ

One of the best ways to prove to occupants that your commercial building is clean and safe is to have a professional infection prevention audit. The Q & A below explains an infection audit and why one is such an effective solution.

What Is an Infection Prevention Audit?

A commercial infection prevention audit analyzes a facility’s current cleaning and disinfecting processes, practices, and products to establish a baseline. Once this baseline is established, a top-rated auditor/consultant designs and builds a program that incorporates all necessary improvements, educates and trains staff, and provides ongoing monitoring services.

Who Should Conduct a Commercial Infection Prevention Audit?

It is essential to hire a reputable independent third-party consultant that is not affiliated with your facility to eliminate any hint of bias that could cast doubt on the findings.

How Can I Be Sure I Am Choosing a Reputable Cleaning and Disinfecting Consultant?

The best way to ensure a consultant is reputable is to hire one with credentials from respected certifying bodies, such as Accredited Auditing Professionals (AAP), Certified Master of Infection Prevention for Environmental Services Professionals (CMIP), Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS), and/or Certified Sustainable Building Advisors (CSBA). Requesting these credentials is especially important since the pandemic because “experts” with little to no experience have been flooding the marketplace. Hiring an inexperienced consultant can prove a costly mistake.

Will I Still Need an Infection Prevention Audit Once Most People Are Vaccinated?

You saw the statistic above: Nine out of 10—90%—of Americans surveyed say even after vaccination, they’re concerned with the cleanliness of businesses they frequent and expect them to make cleaning and sanitation a priority.

Is an Infection Prevention Audit Only Necessary to Prevent COVID-19? 

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is far from the only worrisome pathogen, such as MRSA, salmonella, E.coli, and C.diff —to name but a few. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus, which makes it relatively easy to kill. Many viruses and other pathogens are harder to kill. In addition, are the various strains of COVID-19, not to mention the growing number of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” An infection prevention audit can help combat these and other health-threatening viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

How Do I Show My Employees and Customers That My Efforts to Provide a Clean, Healthy Environment Are Ongoing?

Top consultants experienced in conducting infection prevention audits stay with you every step of the way during and after the audit. They provide ongoing support and monitoring to ensure cleaning and disinfecting practices are being consistently followed and provide data to prove it.

Can an Infection Prevention Audit Help With Compliance Concerns?

A professional, certified auditor can help ensure your facility meets or exceeds CDC, EPA, OSHA, and other agency and government guidelines and regulations. In addition to ensuring the safety of your facilities, this assistance can lower your risk of non-compliance penalties, accidents, and lawsuits. 

What Else Can a Cleaning and Disinfecting Consultant Do to Help Reassure Building Occupants of Their Safety?

The right third-party consultant can help your facility earn recognized accreditations, such as the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC)and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Green Buildings. Displaying logos such as these and promoting the fact that your facility is accredited shows the priority you place on your building occupants’ safety and health. 

Don’t let your building occupants and customers hesitate to come back through your doors. An infection prevention audit conducted by an experienced, professional, accredited consultant sends them the clear message that “you’ve got this!”

Do you need help proving to your commercial building occupants that your facility provides a clean, healthy environment? Contact Allynt Solutions for your infection prevention audit to provide the proof they need to get back to business. Contact us today.