The Role of Project Firstline, AHA, and AHE in Supporting Environmental Services Professionals
Infection prevention and control plays a key role in patient safety, and environmental services (EVS) professionals are essential to ensuring a clean and safe healthcare environment. Recognizing their critical role, Project Firstline partners with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and its professional membership group, the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE), to enhance EVS training, providing these essential workers with the resources needed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The Role of Environmental Services Professionals
The initiative focuses on frontline healthcare EVS staff, including personnel responsible for cleaning and disinfecting healthcare environments, as well as their supervisors. These professionals are vital to maintaining safe and sanitary settings. It also targets EVS managers and directors, who oversee these operations and directly impact the effectiveness of their teams. Additionally, infection preventionists, who work closely with EVS departments, are key collaborators in achieving optimal infection prevention and control outcomes.
The complexity of modern healthcare environments, along with the rise of infectious disease threats, such as COVID-19, underscores the need for accessible, specialized training tailored to the unique challenges faced by EVS professionals. This is where Project Firstline steps in.
What is Project Firstline?
Project Firstline equips frontline healthcare workers, including EVS professionals, with foundational infection prevention and control knowledge through practical, easily accessible training materials designed to address real-world scenarios healthcare workers encounter daily. Key areas that are covered include:
- Proper cleaning and disinfection techniques
- Understanding how pathogens spread within healthcare settings
- Safe handling and disposal of infectious materials
- Adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols
Project Firstline Partners Supporting EVS Professionals
As an essential partner of Project Firstline, the AHA, together with AHE, is committed to supporting EVS professionals nationwide through several key contributions, including:
- Resource Distribution: Sharing CDC training materials, videos and modules with hospitals and healthcare facilities.
- Leadership Advocacy: Encouraging healthcare leaders to recognize the importance of EVS training in infection prevention strategies.
- Professional Development: Providing educational resources to enhance the skills and career growth of EVS professionals.
Transformation of Infection Control Practices
Through this partnership, Project Firstline, AHA, and AHE empower EVS staff to make informed decisions and confidently implement effective infection control practices. The initiative offers short explainer and training videos that highlight key topics such as waste management, linens and textiles, and environmental sanitation, demonstrating how competency-based practices can enhance the quality of EVS operations. The videos aim to raise awareness and promote education, bridging the gap between knowledge and action and fostering a stronger commitment to training and quality improvement among healthcare staff.
Since the launch of Project Firstline, EVS professionals have gained a clearer understanding of their role in infection prevention, leading to measurable improvements in healthcare settings. Many facilities report enhanced cleaning standards and greater collaboration between EVS teams and clinical staff. For example, a hospital that implemented Project Firstline training for its EVS department observed a significant increase in staff confidence and adherence to cleaning protocols. This demonstrates the value of targeted infection control education for all healthcare workers.
Building a Culture of Safety
The partnership between Project Firstline and AHA highlights a shared commitment to building a culture of safety and preparedness in healthcare. By prioritizing EVS training, the initiative emphasizes the essential contributions of these professionals and ensures they are equipped to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare environment.
