Sodexo hygiene specialist earns
15th annual award for her exemplary work for Sodexo at
Phoenix Children's Hospital
NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UMF|PerfectCLEAN today
announced that Maria Diaz De Leon,
Sodexo hygiene specialist at Phoenix Children's Hospital, has
earned the company's 15th annual National Hygiene
Specialist® Excellence Award. Maria was nominated by
Jason Solley, Senior Area General
Manager – Environmental Services (EVS), at Phoenix Children's, for
her exemplary work as night shift EVS Supervisor. Maria, who works
for Sodexo through a contract with Phoenix Children's Hospital,
oversees more than 20 EVS professionals responsible for all
terminal cleaning within the perioperative areas within the
hospital, which consist of four different locations on campus.
"Maria is such a remarkable asset to our EVS department and all
the patients, visitors, and staff here at Phoenix Children's
Hospital," said Solley. "After her recent promotion to EVS
Supervisor, she partnered with the leadership of the Perioperative
teams, Infection Prevention and Control, and Regulatory to revamp
EVS services for all four perioperative locations throughout the
hospital. Through those partnerships, she helped enhance and update
EVS staff competencies, standard operating procedures, and terminal
logs in the perioperative areas. To ensure the EVS team
achieved the desired results for cleanliness, she started
conducting quality control inspections utilizing ATP monitoring
technology. Additionally, Maria is committed to continuous learning
to enhance her knowledge of industry standards and best practices,
thereby empowering her team to provide the best possible service to
our customers."
On any given day, about one in 31 hospital patients has at least
one preventable healthcare-associated infection
(pHAI). According to the CDC, environmental surface
contamination can lead to transmission to the next patient who
occupies the room or uses the same equipment; or contamination of
the hands or clothing of healthcare personnel with transmission to
other patients. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of environmental
surfaces by EVS staff is a key pillar of infection prevention and
control.
"We established the National Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award
15 years ago to recognize and celebrate the EVS staff such as Maria
who are crucial to preventing the spread of pHAIs," said
UMF|PerfectCLEAN CEO George Clarke.
"As an EVS Supervisor, Maria helps ensure her sizeable team is
trained and prepared to properly clean and disinfect all
perioperative areas. We are privileged to recognize the essential
role she plays in helping Sodexo and Phoenix Children's Hospital
keep patients, visitors, and staff safe."
Maria recently earned her Certification Training for Surgical
Cleaning Technicians (CSCT) from the Association for the
Health Care Environment (AHE). Using a train-the-trainer approach,
the course sets the standard for managing pathogens and practicing
innovative techniques specific to the operating room and surgical
suite – intense, high-stakes environments. Her next goal is to earn
her Certificate of Mastery in Infection Prevention (CMIP)
through AHE later this year to further increase her knowledge of
protecting patients.
As the 2023 National Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award
recipient, Maria will receive an all-expenses paid trip for two,
including airfare, to a location of her choice within the 48
contiguous states.
About UMF|PerfectCLEAN
UMF|PerfectCLEAN is the
leader in the research and development of high-performance
products, programs, and training for the infection prevention and
commercial cleaning markets. Through extensive testing, exhaustive
analysis, and the commitment of significant human and financial
resources, UMF|PerfectCLEAN has merged new technologies with
innovative product designs that are reinventing clean™.
UMF|PerfectCLEAN is a proud strategic partner of the Association
for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
(APIC). LinkedIn
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SOURCE UMF Corporation