SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Accelerating Care: Spotless Turnover to Smooth Handover

Pdf Summary

This project from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center focused on improving environmental services (EVS) discharge room cleaning turnaround time (TAT), which is critical for patient flow, hospital safety, infection control, and patient satisfaction. EVS TAT was defined as the average monthly time from when a room-cleaning request was received until the room was cleaned, inspected, and released back to bed control.<br /><br />The goal was to reduce average EVS discharge room cleaning TAT to under 70 minutes. To achieve this, the team implemented interventions across three areas: people, technology, and process. Staffing was restructured by shifting 12 staff from night shifts to peak discharge hours and consolidating oversight to two managers. Technology improvements included Epic auto-assignment, time stamps, tablets, mobile phones, mobile Epic access, and robotic cleaning technology. Process changes included stronger communication loops with nursing staff and patient care technicians, expanded cleaner responsibilities, daily discharge-cleaning expectations, and updated cleaning practices such as using chemicals with shorter dwell times.<br /><br />Results showed substantial improvement. Average TAT decreased from 115 minutes at baseline (Feb 2023–Feb 2024) to 68 minutes during follow-up (Jan 2025–June 2025), a 41% reduction. The 70-minute goal was met and sustained starting in January 2025. Importantly, this improvement was achieved without adding staff or overtime.<br /><br />Overall, the project demonstrates that coordinated changes in staffing, technology, and workflow can significantly improve EVS efficiency, support smoother hospital throughput, and enhance patient care delivery.

Asset Subtitle

Marina George

Meta Tag

Author List Altrivice Revis, Amin Alousi, Babette Beene, Burton M. Broudy, Cecilia F. Aguerre, Christopher Flowers, Corey Russell, Emily Lessner, Jere Rider, Jose Rivera, Kaycee Wilson, Kim Slusser, Marina George, Nathan Cootes, Robert G. Trevino, Rosanna D. Mor

Category Innovations

Concept Environmental Services

Concept Bed Turnaround Time

Concept Throughput

Concept Room Cleaning Time

Concept Infection Prevention

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Presenting Author Marina George

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

environmental services

EVS discharge room cleaning

turnaround time

hospital throughput

patient flow

infection control

staffing optimization

Epic auto-assignment

workflow improvement

robotic cleaning technology

Environmental Services

Bed Turnaround Time

Throughput

Room Cleaning Time

Infection Prevention