Michael Clendenen, director of operations, maintenance and transportation, Taipei American School (TAS) in Taiwan, has an interesting story to tell. He shared it recently on a listserv catering to educational facilities executives. His tale: what it is like to be in the midst of a terrifying disease outbreak. His story unfolded as he and his peers were under quarantine.

On May 5, the Taipei Department of Health placed the school’s entire faculty and administration on quarantine for 14 days. On that day, Clendenen attended a full faculty meeting to discuss the school’s Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) protocol, implemented in April. Two days later, a teacher who attended the meeting reported that she had fever and cough symptoms. A check at a local hospital showed an abnormal chest X-ray. Based on the earlier contact, all meeting attendees were placed in quarantine. The school’s board of directors elected to end the school year three weeks early.

As an administrator, Clendenen is under a 12-month contract with the school. So, even though the students are gone for the summer, there is plenty of work to do. Custodial services, contracted on a two-year agreement, are now “locked” in the school grounds. Usually, the contractor supplies custodial services to several organizations, including hospitals and health-care facilities. To safeguard the health of the school community, administrators have required the vendor to commit that the custodians working for TAS will not work at any other facility during the SARS outbreak. In addition, the contractor cannot supply or substitute a temporary worker to TAS who has worked in any of the medical facilities within the last 14 days.

Housekeeping Solutions recently interviewed Clendenen:

What major changes have you made to your regular cleaning strategies?
“We maintain a very high level of cleanliness within the school. Now, we are concentrating on sanitation as well as cleanliness. Special emphasis and increased frequency is being given to public-use areas. If I walk through the school and do not see several people walking around with aerosol containers and rags, I am on the radio asking the supervisor why.

All hallways and hard surfaces are mopped before the beginning of the school day with disinfectant solution. Public areas are mopped periodically during the day, depending on traffic. The cafeteria floor is mopped hourly.

All door handles, door knobs and elevator panels are wiped down hourly. All hard surfaces in offices and classrooms are disinfected at the end of each school day.

All computer keyboards are wiped with a disinfectant solution at the end of each school day. For computer labs, the keyboard is wiped after each class period.

Cafeteria tables are disinfected at the beginning of each school day. Staff is on hand throughout the day and wipe down the table after each individual use.”

What about cleaning chemicals and disinfectants?
“We are fortunate that our contractor is Taiwan EPA-certified and has been employed by the government to disinfect some quarantined hospitals. Their staff has the full complement of protective garments, equipment, and access to the proper chemicals to do the job.

When we first heard of the virus we immediately examined the chemicals we were using and determined that they were appropriate for this use. We are using one disinfectant commercially available in Taiwan that is EPA tested and evaluated to kill more than 99 percent of a long list of viruses, including HIV. We use this for spraying the school buses.

We are using another compound that includes two quaternary ammonium compounds and a phenoxyl alcohol. This is a sanitizer in low concentrations and a germicide in higher concentrations. It is used primarily for mopping and cleaning hard surfaces. Particular attention is given to the kitchen and cafeteria areas as well as locker rooms and restrooms.”

What kinds of personal protective equipment are custodians required to wear?
“The custodians normally wear gloves. We have upgraded to a Neoprene glove because of the increased exposure to chemicals and the increased concentration of the solutions being used. It is optional to wear masks within the school buildings. Most who clean restrooms choose to wear a surgical mask.

When we are disinfecting the entire grounds, full protective gear is worn, including respirators. All custodians are required to wear a uniform while on duty. We supply a changing room with lockers so they can leave their work clothes here at the end of the day and not wear them home.”

How have custodians and other operations staff handled the situation?
“Education is the key. If they feel they are properly informed, given proper equipment and instructions, and involved in or consulted about decisions made, they are OK. They feel safer here than they do out on the street because they know everyone here has their health history examined and is not running a fever, which is the first sign that a person can pass the virus on to someone else.”

Do you have advice for U.S. housekeeping managers on how to prepare for an outbreak?
“Read all you can from reliable sources of information. Establish procedures before an outbreak occurs. Prepare educational materials for your staff so they have accurate information to quell the rumors and fears that will accompany any outbreak of this virus.

Contact your local health department for assistance. Examine the disinfectant chemicals you are currently using. If they are not germicidal or anti-viral, contact your supplier and determine an appropriate chemical for your specific use.

Examine your cleaning procedures. Do they address sanitation as well as cleanliness?

Do not be an alarmist, but have a supply of basic protective equipment and garments. It is unreal, but right now it is impossible to buy a can of Lysol® in Taipei — and chlorine bleach is selling at an unbelievable price.”

—Kelly Patterson, Editor




POSTED ON: 6/1/2003