COVID-19 PREVENTATIVE CLEANING & DECONTAMINATION

VIRAL DECONTAMINATION

It is no secret that COVID-19 is impacting all aspects of today’s society from health, to business and beyond. One of the only true defenses we have against the unforgiving virus is to disinfect, sanitize, and decontaminate any areas that may be affected. This starts with personal hygiene and the hygiene of the spaces we inhabit. That is why we have created top-of-the-line preventative cleaning and decontamination protocols and operations to directly combat the effects of COVID-19.

We have coupled with renowned experts in the field of environmental science to create a system that will properly manage and address any spatial COVID-19 concerns you may have. We offer two different services to match your specific needs, as seen below.

1. We offer a preventative cleaning service for facilities and spaces at a heightened risk of infection or looking to take proactive measures against COVID-19 in order to further protect their customers, residents, employees, and any others who may occupy the space.
2. We offer in-depth treatment services to any facility that believes it may have been exposed to COVID-19.

With these specialized offerings, we can ensure that we are maximizing the effectiveness of our cleaning and decontamination work to give you the best results, at the best prices.

We know it is a scary time for everyone right now, but ServiceMaster Gordon would like to offer you some peace and assurance in this uncertain time. For more details about our COVID-19 cleaning services, contact us today.

Working with renowned experts in the field of environmental science and in conjunction with our in-house environmental remediation experts, ServiceMaster Gordon has developed preventative baseline cleaning and decontamination protocols and standard operations practices related to the COVID-19 virus. To best meet our clients’ needs we have developed two areas of operating procedures. One set of protocols addresses any preventative cleaning needs for facilities at a heightened risk of infection or looking to take proactive measures to protect their customers, residents or patrons. The second set of standard operating procedures relates to any facility that believes it has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus or has a confirmed case of the coronavirus. Developing two sets of procedures helps us maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning or decontamination while reducing any unnecessary cost.

Both our preventative cleaning and decontamination protocols involve not only specific requirements for cleaning but also the disinfectants and decontamination systems to be used. In addition, we utilize strict personal protective equipment (PPE) standards for all employees throughout the entire process. Not only are we currently conducting preventative cleaning and decontamination services for COVID-19 coronavirus across the country, but we have years of past experience handling similar outbreaks and pandemics such as SARS and MERS.

ServiceMaster Recovery Management has developed a two-stage preventative cleaning process to provide the most effective cleaning possible. This process involves disinfection of all horizontal surfaces as well as any high-touch points such as door handles, elevator buttons, escalator rails and so on. Next, we use a specialized aerosol system to provide the most complete coverage and disinfection of your facility. This two-stage preventative cleaning process provides the most comprehensive preventative cleaning available. We use EPA registered hospital-grade disinfectants throughout the entire process.

Established protocols are only effective if the technicians implementing them are properly trained. This is where SRM preventative cleaning really excels compared to a standard cleaning or janitorial company. We have years of experience in not only biohazard and trauma cleanup but specifically with previous coronavirus outbreaks such as SARS. All of our technicians are trained on the proper use of the cleaning products and systems as well as the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This is important to not only protect the technicians but also reduce the chance of cross-contamination or further spread of the virus.

Our project managers can provide pricing for preventative cleaning of your facility. We will walk you through your specific cleaning plan making sure to address any areas of concern. In addition, we can work with you to complete the service during off-hours to limit customer disruption if that is preferred.

As the pandemic continues to grow so does the demand for preventative cleaning and decontamination

In a crucial situation such as COVID-19 exposure, you need experts who not only know how to properly decontaminate your facility but have experience in doing so. ServiceMaster Recovery Management has not only completed COVID-19 decontamination projects across the country we also have years of experience in dealing with previous coronavirus outbreaks such as SARS. We understand the delicate nature of managing a decontamination project when a facility is exposed and will work with you to make sure all aspects of your project are handled with the utmost professionalism.

If your facility has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 coronavirus, ServiceMaster Recovery Management has established protocols to provide the most effective decontamination available. We developed these protocols and procedures by working with renowned experts in the field of environmental science as well as our internal infection decontamination experts. We work with an industrial hygienist on every job to ensure the facility disinfection plan is followed including; decontamination procedures, employee personal protective equipment, and disinfectant product use. In addition, we have a clear project communication plan to keep all stakeholders updated each step of the way. We understand that often the impact of exposure to a virus such as COVID-19 goes beyond the facility itself and affects the morale of personnel, customers, residents, students, and even the general public. Having an effective decontamination plan completed by leading experts in the field of clean up and remediation is critical.

COVID-19 FACILITY REOPENING CLEANING

As your business schedules to reopen and return to regular operations, it is important to make sure the necessary precautions are taken. Reentering a facility after COVID-19 requires more than basic cleaning or janitorial services, it requires a company with the experience of handling biohazard cleaning and virus outbreaks.

ServiceMaster Recovery Management, in conjunction with our environmental experts, has developed comprehensive cleaning protocols for commercial facilities looking to reopen after the COVID-19 crisis. All of our cleaning and disinfection services use hospital-grade, EPA registered products to the exact manufacturer specifications including mixing and dwell time. This is crucial in providing the maximum effectiveness of the disinfecting service.

Our reopening preparation cleaning includes;

Hand cleaning of all horizontal and frequently contacted surfaces such as door handles, keyboards, desks, seating areas, handrails, copiers and printers, shopping carts, production equipment, touch screens and more.

After hand cleaning all frequently contacted surfaces, SRM will apply an aerosolized disinfection solution to frequently touched porous surfaces such as upholstery, carpet, cubicles, etc. We will then shampoo all entryways, conference rooms, hallways, and open area carpet. We also apply an EPA-registered, healthcare-grade disinfectant during this step of the process. Air Movers (high-powered fans) will be left on all cleaned carpet overnight to ensure quick drying. All restrooms within the facility will be disinfected from top to bottom including walls, floors, toilets, sinks, partitions, counters and all other surfaces within the restrooms.

If your facility has large open areas such as those found in warehouses or manufacturing plants, SRM can mist an aerosolized EPA-registered, healthcare-grade disinfectant into the atmosphere of the area and on horizontal surfaces. If required, we can also hand clean individual pieces of equipment.

Working with renowned environmental scientists and industrial hygienists to engineer our COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection processes provides you with the most comprehensive service available while avoiding unnecessary costs. Our technicians are trained in biohazard cleanup and certified by the IICRC. In addition, each employee is trained on the proper use of personal protective equipment to not only protect their safety but also limit the chance of cross-contamination.

ServiceMaster Recovery Management offers the most comprehensive COVID-19 re-opening cleaning available. We have the experience with biohazard cleanup and even previous coronavirus outbreaks such as SARS and MERS. Reentering your facility is a big step in getting back to normal business operations and requires careful planning and preparation. SRM is here to help.

ServiceMaster Recovery Management uses disinfectant foggers in both our preventative cleaning and decontamination services. There are several reasons this is a better application method over standard pump sprayers other companies typically use. First, foggers are faster than standard pump sprayers. A trained technician can disinfect approximately 15,000 square feet using a fogger. On average, this is 10X faster than a standard pump sprayer. Second, the fogging system actually reduces the particles to a much smaller size which helps provide better coverage and more even distribution of the chemical disinfectant. Lastly, since the particle size is smaller, there may be less of an impact on materials that are sensitive to moisture such as paper or fabric.

When evaluating a service provider to help with your facility disinfection and decontamination, make sure they are using a fogging system rather than a standard pump sprayer. If they provide details into their processes such as videos or educational materials pay close attention to how they are applying the disinfectant. If they are using a standard pump sprayer, you are not getting the most effective cleaning and decontamination possible.

Servicemaster and SRM are hard at work across the country helping commercial facilities such as office buildings, schools, retail stores, and healthcare facilities protect their customers, residents, and patients from the COVID-19 virus. Our experts have developed several helpful documents to provide useful information.

In an effort to help contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, we have developed an information center to help educate facilities and individuals on the virus. Below are some relevant links to health authorities such as the CDC and World Health Organization. We will be adding to and updating this section on a regular basis.

CDC General COVID-19 Page
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC Guidance for businesses
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

CDC Guidance for schools
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

World Health Organization Situation Report
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200313-sitrep-53-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=adb3f72_2

What Is Coronavirus

Coronavirus 2019-nCoV, more commonly referred to in the media as the coronavirus or COVID-19, is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, China suspected to have originated in a large animal and seafood market. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which affect humans while others affect animals only. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a different type of Coronavirus but is NOT the same as what is now being generally labeled “the Coronavirus”.

How Does The Coronavirus Spread?

While we are still learning more about the new COVID-19 virus, scientists believe the virus will act similarly to other more well-known Coronaviruses such as MERS or SARS. It is believed that the coronavirus spreads from person-to-person when in close proximity to each other. The standard accepted distance is about six feet. The virus is spread much like the flu by an infected person coughing or sneezing. This introduces tiny respiratory droplets that can enter a non-infected person’s mouth, nose or be inhaled into the lungs. As with other respiratory viruses, individuals are typically considered to be most contagious when they are demonstrating the greatest level of symptoms.

How does the coronavirus affect surfaces?

Contaminated droplets settle onto surfaces that people may touch thereby contaminating their hands. If they touch their eyes, mouth or nose before properly disinfecting their hands they may then become infected.

What are the symptoms of the coronavirus?

While the intensity of symptoms varies, with some individuals showing little or no symptoms and others demonstrating severe illness and even dying, the three main symptoms include;

• Fever (Above 101º F)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms may begin showing within two days of being exposed but may take as long as 14 days.

how can I help reduce the risk of contamination?

Knowledge is key to reducing the risk of infection from 2019-nCoV. The information included here is valuable, however, developments are made constantly so it is good to monitor official health channels such as the CDC.

Practicing good infection prevention practices, such as frequent hand washing, is also important especially in public buildings. These practices also include; properly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, respiratory hygiene and avoiding close contact with individuals. Most practices discussed in the media do NOT protect the individual using the practices, but rather protect others in the instance the person is infected. For example, using a mask does prevent airborne droplets from spreading if the individual wearing the mask coughs or sneezes, however, the coronavirus is small enough to enter through the mask to the wearer. Properly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces may be one of the only truly preventative measures available.

Seek medical attention immediately. Call your doctor or local hospital and explain your situation to them. With it being the prime season for the Flu and respiratory viruses, it is important to cooperate with medical professionals to reach a proper diagnosis. They may ask you some questions to help such as have you or anyone you have been in contact with recently traveled to China, answer these questions honestly.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BELIEVE I MAY HAVE 2019-NCOV?

Seek medical attention immediately. Call your doctor or local hospital and explain your situation to them. With it being prime season for the Flu and respiratory viruses, it is important to cooperate with medical professionals to reach a proper diagnosis. They may ask you some questions to help such as have you or anyone you have been in contact with recently traveled to China, answer these questions honestly.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY BUSINESS WAS EXPOSED?

If you believe your business may have been exposed to the coronavirus, it is critical that you take the utmost precaution to avoid contamination or possible infection. The building should be closed, allowing no one inside until a professional has decontaminated or disinfected the facility. The coronavirus is not something that can be eliminated with standard cleaning products. Hospital-grade disinfectants need to be used in order to effectively treat surfaces and kill the virus. In addition, if proper protective gear is not worn there is a risk of infection to anyone who comes into contact with contaminated surfaces.

HOW CAN I DISINFECT MY FACILITY OF CORONAVIRUS?

Properly disinfecting and treating surfaces for Coronavirus is not something an untrained person should ever attempt. The process needs to be completed with extreme precautions and with the proper equipment. ServiceMaster Recovery Management has developed several methodologies for decontamination and disinfection of viruses such as the coronavirus or influenza virus. We have also handled other coronavirus outbreaks, such as SARS, in the past. If you believe your facility may have been exposed to the 2019- nCoV, call SRM immediately.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR CORONAVIRUS DECONTAMINATION?

Our coronavirus process starts with an analysis conducted by an industrial hygienist. Using this analysis, we develop a disinfection project plan. Each facility type is different, and it is important to make sure the disinfection plan is tailored to those specific needs.

Once we have the disinfection plan developed, we begin the process or treating and disinfecting the building. All of our technicians are trained and maintain the highest level of protective gear to make sure they are safe throughout the entire disinfection process. We use hospital-grade disinfectants and make sure each surface is treated for the required dwell time as required by the product. We have developed several methods of disinfection which will be utilized in accordance with the protocols set by the industrial hygienist. SRM ensures that product specifications are followed thereby providing the most effective disinfection possible.

If you feel your facility may have been exposed to the coronavirus or are struggling with the influenza virus, we are here to help.