Technology

Translating Clean

To better work with today’s growing population of hispanic workers, housekeeping managers and supervisors must be able to communicate with Spanish-speaking employees.

Software designed especially for cleaning professionals is available to help break down common communication barriers that can occur. Users of the software can learn Spanish or English words and phrases specific to the cleaning industry. This allows managers and workers to learn phrases in one another’s languages, making learning a shared effort.

The software, Speak Cleaning in Spanish, includes eight audio/visual lessons that allow users to hear correct pronunciations of English and Spanish words and phrases.

Language categories within the program include equipment and supplies, employment, restrooms, office, floors and carpet, general cleaning and miscellaneous. Users also can search for words on the program. Other features include interactive tests that measure users’ progress and printable reference cards for use on the job.

Users need to have a CD-ROM drive in their computer, Windows 95 or higher, a Pentium 100MHz or higher and at least 16 MB RAM to run the program.

Information on window-cleaning training and safety is available on the International Window Cleaner Certification Institute’s new Web site.

The site explains the window cleaner certification program and includes frequently asked questions, an explanation of the four levels of certification, a searchable database of member companies and a membership application.

Once signed on as a member, users can download study materials and exams. Materials are available in English and Spanish.

Housekeeping professionals in healthcare facilities can streamline the patient-room cleaning process by using a software program called BedTracking^® from Tele-tracking^™ technologies.

When a room needs cleaning, a nursing or admitting staff member makes a phone call transaction that logs the need for housekeeping.

The housekeeping department is paged with a computer voice response system with a room number and status. The cleaner can change a dirty room‘s status to “in progress” during service and then to “done.” Cleaning staff also can enter “break” or “lunch” status to notify nursing and admitting staff who is available to clean rooms.

Departments relying on bed status can check the status of the room automatically.