Journey to Save Lives Through Science-Based Cleaning
Editor ’ s note
This article is the 10th in a yearlong series describing an Industry journey led by environmental services and infection prevention toward better patient outcomes , quality and cost savings .
• Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health systems brought together their two ministries to become the largest faith-based healthcare system in the United States , serving
21 states with
more than 700 healthcare sites , and contributing
$ 4 billion annually in charity care , community benefits and government program services .
By John Scherberger
In the field of healthcare environmental services
( EVS ), many processes have been introduced to address the challenges of maintaining hygienic and aesthetic balances in patient-care and treatment areas . Some are science-driven , and some are emotion-driven . There are those who state nothing should be undertaken without having numerous peer-reviewed studies , and those who prefer the knee-jerk ,“ my-wayor-the-highway ” approach . Some prefer the Rube Goldberg approaches that are so complicated , the goal is lost in the process . Others prefer the Occam ’ s Razor approach , a scientific and philosophical rule that purports the simplest of competing theories be preferred to the more complex ; the simplest answer or solution is the correct one .
In the clinical field , too many people are looking for the “ perfect ” answer , and the “ perfect ” answer cannot be the simplest . It ’ s actually the Greek philosopher Aristotle to whom the idea that perfection equals simplicity and vice versa is attributed . Aristotle was known for the phrase , “ The more perfect a nature is , the fewer means it requires for its operation .”
For EVS , the “ perfect nature ” is the goal of removing potential pathogens ( biofilm , virion , spores , molds , bacteria , simple and complex organisms ) through a trap , capture , and remove process using healthcare-grade ultra-microfiber ( HGUM ©), and destroying simple and complex organisms through the use of Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA )-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants . One must keep in mind that EVS is tasked with providing hygienic , disinfected surfaces , not sterile surfaces or environments .
In February 2019 , after years of serious prayer , contemplation , business considerations and investigations , and number- crunching , CommonSpirit Health emerged from the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives ( CHI ) and Dignity Health . Both health systems have a long , proud legacy of serving all people in need , especially those who have been made vulnerable by poverty , age and other hardships . Because CommonSpirit Health is faith-based , Bible scriptures are referenced herein , for the Bible is an integral part of their ministry foundation . They are used to tell the story of the CommonSpirit Health mission , vision , and values , not as evangelism .
Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health systems brought together their two ministries to become the largest faith-based healthcare system in the United States , serving 21 states with more than 700 healthcare sites , and contributing $ 4 billion annually in charity care , community benefits and government program services .
Modern healthcare is a business . Even with the countless hours of prayer , contemplation , business considerations and investigations , and number crunching , firm business and spiritual foundations ( Ephesians 2:20 and other Scriptures ) were fundamental and essential . Having laid the foundations , CommonSpirit Health derived its name from I Corinthians 12:4-7 and incorporated the truths from verses 21-26 that just as the human body cannot say one part is more important than another , neither can a hospital nor hospital system say one part is more important than another : “ The eye cannot say to the hand , “ I have no need of you ,” nor again the head to the feet , “ I have no need of you .” On the contrary , the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable . . . If one member suffers , all suffer together ; if one member is honored , all rejoice together .”
As we have seen , the narratives of both Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives are long and have firm foundations based upon a multilevel approach ; but healthcare is more than organizational foundations . And healthcare ministry , whether religious or secular , is the serving of people where they are , regardless of who they are , where they are from , where they are going , or their lot in life .
Healthcare ministry is , very simply , providing service to people in need . The need often presents itself as a physical malady that is readily apparent ; other times , the need is more difficult to see and treat , such as mental imbalances , whether chemical or physiological ; often maladies manifest themselves in a spiritual realm . Regardless of the origin , physical , psychological , or spiritual , the needs are real and often compounded due to non-severability within a person . The uniqueness of people , physical , psychological , and spiritual , is integrated with and integral to the whole person and cannot be severable from the whole or remainder of a person . Be it medical intervention or treatment or care , compassion , or empathy , they all work for good . Medical treatment is not always necessary or effective , particularly at end-of-life , but care is always necessary .
Patients are why hospitals and healthcare systems exist ; but they cannot exist in a vacuum . They need people with a servant ’ s heart , people who care , people with vision . For without a vision , people and nations perish .
Some hospital departments may appear to take precedence , such as infection prevention during the current COVID-19 pandemic . They have been tagged “ front line heroes ” by the news media .