Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Technicians are an instrumental part of the patient care team. Meticulously trained frontline workers in healthcare are critical to positive outcomes. CHEST program validates the competency of Environmental Services Technicians.
Improvement in cleaning and disinfection practices can prevent pathogen transmission. The environmental services team plays a central role in low and intermediate-level disinfection. Cleaning and disinfection are critical components of any infection prevention program.
Furthermore, Healthcare Environmental Services Technicians are an instrumental part of the patient care team. To achieve success, frontline healthcare staff must get meticulous training. Also, the CHEST program comprises a methodical cleaning procedure.
The following Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) course is designed to educate environmental services frontline workers and supervisors on how to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).
What You’ll Learn
- Overview of Environmental Service (EVS)
- About the importance of CHEST in patient care
- Foundational Infection Prevention (IP) strategies
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)
- About Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRAS) bacteremia
- About C. Difficile Infection (CDI)
- List environmental cleaning procedures
- About monitoring of isolation rooms
- About environmental cleaning supplies and equipment
Details
Course length: 1 hour 30 minutes; CEU 1.5.
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment
ACCME Accreditation
American Medical Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education to physicians. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of healthcare providers to improve patient care outcomes. Through high-quality educational activities, we aim to address the identified educational gaps and to support the continuous professional development of our medical community. American Medical Compliance designates this activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim this credit for their complete participation in this activity.
Get Certified
American Medical Compliance (AMC) is a leader in the industry for compliance, Billing, and HR solutions. To become certified, please visit us at American Medical Compliance (AMC).
Reach out for other courses by visiting the AMC Course Library.
What are Certified Healthcare Environmental Service Technicians?
Certified Healthcare Environmental Service Technicians (CHESTs) play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness, safety, and infection control within healthcare facilities. These technicians are trained professionals who are knowledgeable about environmental sanitation practices and protocols specific to healthcare settings. They are responsible for ensuring that patient care areas, common spaces, and equipment are properly cleaned, disinfected, and maintained. CHES technicians are well-versed in using appropriate cleaning agents, disinfectants, and equipment to effectively eliminate pathogens and minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections. They work closely with healthcare staff, following strict guidelines and regulations to create a clean and hygienic environment that supports patient well-being and safety. CHES technicians contribute to the overall quality of healthcare services by promoting a clean and sanitized environment that is crucial for maintaining optimal patient care standards.
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, are infections that patients acquire during their healthcare treatment in a hospital or other healthcare setting. These infections pose a significant threat to patient safety and can result in prolonged hospital stays, increased morbidity and mortality rates, and additional healthcare costs. HAIs can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and they can affect different body systems. Common types of HAIs include surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and respiratory infections.
Factors that contribute to the development of HAIs include compromised patient immune systems, invasive procedures, prolonged hospital stays, improper hand hygiene, contaminated medical equipment, and inadequate cleaning and disinfection practices. Preventing HAIs requires a multifaceted approach that includes strict adherence to infection control protocols, proper hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, effective environmental cleaning, and the implementation of surveillance and monitoring systems. By implementing comprehensive infection prevention strategies, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the incidence of HAIs and improve patient safety and outcomes.
The Importance of Infection Prevention
Infection prevention plays a critical role in maintaining the health and safety of individuals in healthcare settings and beyond. It encompasses a range of practices and measures aimed at minimizing the risk of infections and the spread of pathogens. Effective infection prevention is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, it protects patients from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that can lead to complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. By implementing rigorous infection control protocols, healthcare facilities can create a safe environment for patients, minimizing the risk of acquiring infections during their healthcare journey.
Infection prevention also helps protect healthcare workers and other staff members from occupational exposure to pathogens. Additionally, it has broader public health implications by reducing the transmission of infectious diseases in the community. By promoting practices such as hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment, and appropriate cleaning and disinfection, infection prevention measures contribute to overall population health and well-being. Moreover, effective infection prevention supports antimicrobial stewardship efforts, helping to combat the rise of antimicrobial resistance and preserve the effectiveness of available treatment options. Overall, prioritizing infection prevention is crucial for ensuring optimal patient care, protecting healthcare workers, and promoting public health on a broader scale.
Benefits of an Online Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Technician Course
Online courses offer numerous benefits that make them a popular choice for learning in today’s digital age. Firstly, flexibility is a key advantage. This is because online courses allow learners to access course materials and participate in lessons at their own pace and on their own schedule. Additionally, online courses provide a wide range of subjects and disciplines. This gives learners the opportunity to acquire new skills from the comfort of their own homes. Lastly, the affordability of online courses compared to traditional in-person education is a significant advantage. Online courses make quality education more accessible and affordable for many individuals. With the ability to access course materials anytime, anywhere, online courses offer a flexible, diverse, interactive, and cost-effective approach to continuing education.
