What is one principle of effective cleaning in healthcare settings?

One principle of effective cleaning in healthcare settings is that cleaning reduces the presence of microorganisms. This is crucial because healthcare environments must be maintained to minimize the risk of infections, particularly in areas where vulnerable individuals are present. Cleaning surfaces effectively helps disrupt the transmission of pathogens, contributes to infection prevention, and supports the overall safety of patients and staff.

In a healthcare context, simply relying on surfaces to appear clean does not guarantee that they are free from harmful microorganisms, which is why regular and effective cleaning practices are necessary. It's also important to recognize that not all cleaning agents have the same efficacy against various pathogens, highlighting the need for appropriate product selection based on specific cleaning objectives. Furthermore, cleaning should occur regularly throughout the day rather than being restricted to a single time, which ensures that high-touch surfaces remain as free of contaminants as possible.