Consistent Cleaning Procedures Can Limit Spread of Pathogens in Outpatient Care Centers

There are hundreds of outpatient care centers across California that provide vital services to the state’s almost 40 million residents. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 early last year, these care providers have had to reassess their infection control procedures to take into account the virus along with all the bacteria and fungi that have long been associated with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

HAIs are a major concern for infection control professionals in California and throughout the world. These infections, which patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions, can be devastating and even deadly. They also add billions of dollars to medical costs each year. This is why infection prevention has to be a priority in any setting where medical care is delivered.

A key component of mitigating exposure risks to harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses include environmental cleaning and disinfection. Cleaning refers to the removal of visible soil and organic contamination from a device or surface. This process removes large numbers of microorganisms from surfaces and must always precede disinfection procedures. Special attention during cleaning and disinfection should be placed on surfaces that are most likely to become contaminated with pathogens, including those in close proximity to patients and frequently touched surfaces. Some of the many pathogens that can cause issues in healthcare environments include SARS-CoV-2, Acinetobacter baumannii, Burkholderia cepacia, Clostridium difficile, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).”

“Cleaning and disinfection procedures should also be periodically monitored or assessed to ensure that they are consistently and correctly performed,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “At LA Testing we provide outpatient care centers and other medical providers all across California with indoor environmental quality laboratory testing services for pathogens from surfaces, air and water samples.”

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about outpatient care centers, HAIs and environmental cleaning that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/p6buzy9TDI0.

To learn more about infection control and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services and sampling supplies, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: : AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail