UMF PerfectClean recently honored Stacy Turner, Riverview Health hygiene specialist, with the annual National Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award. She was nominated by Scott Smith, director of Housekeeping at Riverview Health, for her exemplary work as team lead of the hospital’s environmental services department.
“Through her hard work, leadership and commitment to infection prevention, Stacy helps support our commitment to being a champion for health and wellness throughout central Indiana,” Smith said. “She delivers excellence in everything she does, driving quality improvements and providing our customers throughout the hospital with exceptional care and support. When issues arise or patients need extra care, staff look to her for help. She’s known for her compassionate care for our patients and her coworkers.”
“We’re so proud that one of our associates has received this national award,” Riverview Health President & CEO Dave Hyatt said. “The housekeeping staff and hygiene specialists play a critical role in our patients’ health and safety. We’re thrilled to see Stacy honored for her hard work.”
In the United States, preventable healthcare associated infections kill more than 75,000 people each year. To keep patients safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sets high standards for clean environments. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces is fundamental to reducing preventable healthcare associated infections, as surfaces contaminated with bacteria and viruses create a biofilm which protects them from disinfectants. Hygiene specialists play a leading role in ensuring safe environments across all kinds of healthcare facilities.
“We established the National Hygiene Specialist Award 14 years ago to celebrate the hygiene specialists who serve on the front line in preventing the spread of preventable healthcare associated infections,” UMF PerfectClean CEO George Clarke said. “As healthcare workers content with staffing shortages, new safety protocol training, burn-out and a lack of recognition, it has never been more important to acknowledge and reward individuals such as Stacy for their contributions.”
As the award winner, Turner received a $2,500 check.