Accountability drives success, and for Kevin Theis, director of Environmental Providers (EVS) and Linen Providers at MedStar Harbor Hospital, it’s a core worth. His dedication to each workforce and private accountability not too long ago earned the EVS workforce a prestigious Certificates of Advantage from the Affiliation for the Well being Care Surroundings (AHE). This nationwide recognition honors environmental companies groups that make important contributions to the affected person expertise and the mission of their healthcare group – and the MedStar Harbor workforce did simply that.

MedStar Harbor Hospital's EVS workforce stood out for his or her excellent efficiency in hygiene and an infection prevention, together with:

• 4-star Cleanliness Score: For 2 consecutive quarters, affected person surveys confirmed that they have been very happy with the cleanliness of the hospital.
• Prime 4 nationwide rankings: The workforce excelled in utilizing Surfacide UV gentle expertise, a vital instrument for an infection prevention.
• Finest turnaround occasions for beds of their class: Persistently maintains room availability with mattress turnover occasions of lower than 60 minutes.

When Theis took on the management function in 2022, he launched a complete technique to enhance efficiency. With greater than 14 years of expertise in MedStar Well being hospitals – together with 8 years at Crothall – Theis drew on his in depth background to implement a sequence of key initiatives aimed toward bettering the workforce's efficiency. Theis started his profession as a affected person transporter in 2010 and has steadily progressed by means of varied administration positions, gaining a deep understanding of the excessive requirements required to achieve healthcare help companies.

“I needed to make sure we have now the perfect workforce in the suitable roles as we deal with completely different points to maximise our impression and construct a powerful basis for continued success,” mentioned Theis.

His technique included a number of essential elements:

• Excessive Profile Captain Report Playing cards (HPC): These observe the cleanliness efficiency of workers of their assigned items and reinforce accountability with weekly departmental reminders.
• On/off logs for tools and carts: Making certain that essential instruments are all the time out there for every day operations
• Night turndown service: This initiative focuses on affected person interplay in the course of the night shift, which incorporates trash removing, linen refreshment, and toilet cleansing.
• Improved recognition packages: Employees achievements are celebrated by means of a Housekeeper of the Week board and a month-to-month e-newsletter with key metrics and efficiency highlights.
• In depth ground upkeep packages: The workforce follows a 13-week cycle of flooring initiatives in numerous facility areas, making certain constant upkeep and cleanliness.

Whereas many of those methods align with Crothall's EVS requirements, Theis emphasizes execution. For instance, his workforce makes use of Surfacide UV-C expertise day by day to disinfect affected person loos for 5 minutes, decreasing micro organism and viruses. The workforce ensures transparency by explaining this course of to sufferers, including consolation and confidence to the equation.

The Excessive-performance cleansing (HPC) technique is one other notable part, utilizing custom-made report playing cards to judge the efficiency of housekeepers throughout shifts. These playing cards observe compliance with a 13-step cleansing course of and guarantee uniforms, tools and security protocols are adhered to.

Certainly one of Theis' most impactful improvements is the nightly turndown servicethat responds to the wants of sufferers in the course of the night hours. This service ensures that rooms are refreshed, important objects are replenished and waste is eliminated, extending affected person care past the day.

Theis additionally created a month-to-month e-newsletter often known as the Harbor Journal, which studies on Key Efficiency Indicators (KPIs) reminiscent of cleanliness scores and productiveness. This report is shared with each his workforce and senior administration, underscoring the significance of transparency and accountability.

“Each a part of the technique goes hand in hand,” says Theis. “Publishing our scores makes us accountable. It exhibits hospital administration that we’re dedicated to creating the hospital safer and higher for sufferers. It's all about affected person care and we attempt to be the perfect.”

Underneath the management of Kevin Theis, the EVS workforce at MedStar Harbor Hospital has really set a excessive normal, demonstrating that accountability and dedication to excellence can rework the affected person expertise. With the Certificates of Advantage, their laborious work and dedication are rightly acknowledged at a nationwide stage.