Not just a maid service

During 1999–2009, the rate of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a debilitating diarrheal disease acquired primarily during a healthcare stay, doubled among patients discharged from Illinois hospitals. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) partnered with the state's quality-improvement organization to implement a CDI prevention collaborative with 20 Illinois hospitals to reduce CDI by 20% in 18 months through adherence to hand washing, contact precautions, and thorough cleaning of patient rooms. Collaborative participants requested resources for enhancing collaboration and communication between clinical staff and environmental service staff to improve room cleaning techniques. On the basis of this request, IDPH produced a film that highlights the crucial role environmental health workers have in preventing CDI spread within the healthcare setting. Not Just a Maid Service demonstrates how environmental service and clinical staff can work together to promote better patient outcomes. The video was filmed at two Chicago-area hospitals, scenes include an environmental service staff meeting during which an infection preventionist shares CDI data and communication tools that alert staff when enhanced room-cleaning procedures are needed. Also, the film's participants discuss how environmental service workers view their roles and contributions in preventing the spread of Clostridium difficile. The film has been viewed by hospital staff across Illinois and has received praise from infection control professionals and environmental service workers. The infection control communication approaches portrayed in the film also apply to the prevention of other healthcare-associated infections. State health departments and hospitals can use the film to promote the role of the environmental service worker to prevent spread of healthcare-associated infections by thoroughly cleaning patient rooms. The film is available with English or Spanish captions.