The cleaning industry is presented with a seemingly constant and endless number of opportunities on which to capitalise. Just one of the most recent, as we went to press mid-December with our January/March 2011 issue, was the report that MyHospitals’ website will in time publish hospital infection rates.
In a Sydney Morning Herald interview with Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon, it was revealed that a wide range of hospital data including safety and quality data such as hospital acquired infection rates will be included in MyHospitals. The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s executive director Prue Power observed that ‘information about patient safety was more important than waiting times’.
It’s been well documented that quality cleaning standards can, if instituted, play a key role in driving down HAI rates.
There is more background information on this topic in the January/February issue with Brian Clark’s article on the 2010 Guideline for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare.
Also in that issue is a news item on NABERS seeking industry input into the evolution of its Energy tool. One of NABERS’ key impact categories is ‘Indoor Environment’ so this should be great interest to cleaning industry stakeholders.
One of the most rewarding tasks a magazine editor can have is to acknowledge the commitment and professionalism of their industry’s young managers and, in our January/February magazine Contracting section, you will enjoy reading about three younger members from our service provider fraternity.
All young managers refer to the critical importance of the education and training they have received in helping them up the professional ladder. Our January/February News pages item that a Diploma of Management for women is being introduced in the contract cleaning industry is timely.
Certainly, it will be new blood that takes the cleaning forward and hopefully those young executives will recognise the almost weekly, public events upon which the cleaning industry – through professional marketing including public relations – could gain so much kudos.
We need to encourage young executives to step-up and involve themselves in industry bodies.
INCLEAN expands its presence
INCLEAN will be stepping-up its pace in 2011. From the January/February issue the magazine will be published six times a year and in due course will be complemented with fortnightly e:clean emailed newsletters; a new website; and plenty of ‘e’ marketing initiatives.
In late September the AUSCLEAN Convention 2011 will be held on the Gold Coast and it will be a true industry event encompassing seminars featuring international speakers, workshops, supply-side awards and an industry dinner. It will reflect the solid educational ethos on which INCLEAN has been built.
We look forward to embracing opportunities with you.
Alan Hardcastle
Editor