Let’s Celebrate the Critical Work of EVS Professionals

Housekeeping and Environmental Services (EVS) Week is more than a calendar observance-it is a much-needed opportunity to lift up and celebrate the essential individuals whose daily work directly safeguards the health and lives of patients, staff, and visitors. These professionals do far more than clean spaces; they bring dedication, vigilance, and empathy to the heart of every healthcare setting while protecting patients and reducing risk. Behind every disinfected door or sanitized rail is a member of the EVS team who takes pride in making environments safer, day in and day out, often with little public recognition. This week is a time to shed light on their tremendous value, to thank them for their care and commitment, and to champion their role as key partners in health outcomes and patient safety.

The Compassionate Work of EVS Professionals

EVS staff are not anonymous-each is a person who goes above and beyond knowing their work has a direct impact on patient outcomes and, in many cases, the very lives of those they serve. Their responsibilities go far beyond simple cleaning: they manage environments teeming with patients who are ill or immune-compromised, use complex medical equipment that requires special handling, and navigate daily the invisible world of harmful pathogens. Dedication is required to learn and apply best practices, to remain alert to every detail, and to persist in a job that is physically and emotionally demanding but too often undervalued.

As hospitals nationwide face budget pressures and rising patient volumes, EVS workers are frequently asked to do more with less-sometimes given only minutes to turn over a room that should take nearly an hour to clean properly.

The consequences of undervaluing these individuals are not abstract: infection risks rise, patient stays lengthen, and staff across the care spectrum suffer higher rates of burnout.

Yet, EVS team members continue to show up with focus and pride, understanding both the science and the humanity of their contribution.

Building Health Through Training and Expertise

Cleaning and disinfection in healthcare is not simply a checklist activity; it is a specialized discipline requiring expert knowledge, advanced technique, and ongoing education. The myth that "anyone can clean" is not only misleading-it is dangerous. Healthcare environments demand strict adherence to evidence-based protocols. Everything from the choice of disinfectant wipes to the method in which they are used ("one wipe, one surface, one direction, dispose") directly influences the spread or control of infectious agents.

As highlighted in recent studies, when EVS professionals receive formal training, regular feedback, and adequate resources, infection rates drop dramatically-showing up to a 75% reduction in certain hospital-acquired infections. Training is not optional but essential: these individuals work at the intersection of multiple regulations and standards, requiring compliance with CDC, OSHA, Joint Commission, and state and federal rules. Yet, hospitals sometimes treat foundational and ongoing EVS education as expendable, a misconception that puts everyone at risk.

Dispelling Myths: Quick Cleaning and Self-Cleaning Surfaces

It is tempting, especially in high-pressure environments, to rely on shortcuts-quick surface wipes, focusing only on so-called "high touch" areas, or believing in the magic of self-cleaning surfaces. But research shows that improper cleaning spreads contamination and that every surface-regardless of antimicrobial properties-demands regular, skilled attention. There is no substitute for the thorough, methodical approach that trained EVS workers provide.

The Consequences-and the Call to Action

Nearly everyone has heard stories of patients acquiring infections during a hospital stay, sometimes with tragic consequences. Behind those statistics are real people-patients, families, staff, and, crucially, EVS professionals whose work can tip the balance between safety and harm. Supporting these individuals through appropriate training, adequate staffing, and recognition is not only an ethical and regulatory requirement but the foundation of a safer, more effective healthcare system. To learn more about Environmental Services training, tools, and peer support, consider these two great resources: www.AHE.org and ISSA.com/healthcare.

Celebrate EVS Week-Honor the People Who Make a Difference

This Housekeeping and Environmental Services Week, take a moment to look behind the spotless floors and gleaming equipment and see the people whose mission it is to create these conditions. Thank the EVS professionals in your organization for their commitment, listen to their insights, and support policies that enable them to work safely and effectively. For resources and ideas to celebrate your team, visit ahe.org/EVSWeek.

By honoring the individuals in EVS-not only with a word of thanks during this special week, but through year-round investment and respect-we affirm that their work is vital, valued, and at the very core of patient care and safety.