When we think about patient care, doctors, nurses, and medical professionals are often the first people who come to mind. But behind every safe healthcare environment is another essential team working to protect patients, residents, and staff: environmental services.
In the latest episode of Behind the Seams, George Courey Inc.'s Frank Ricci sits down with Wendy Boone and Shawn Bolger from the Canadian Healthcare Environmental Services Association (CHESA) to discuss the evolving role of environmental services (EVS) professionals and their impact on infection prevention, patient safety, and healthcare quality across Canada.
From changing industry standards to professional development and collaboration, the conversation highlights an important message: environmental services is about much more than keeping healthcare facilities clean. It's about creating safer environments for everyone.
From Housekeeping to Essential Healthcare Partners
For years, healthcare housekeeping was often viewed primarily through the lens of appearance. Clean floors, tidy rooms, and well-maintained facilities were considered the measures of success.
Today, that understanding has evolved significantly.
Environmental services professionals play an important role in infection prevention and control (IPAC), workplace safety, and the overall quality of care delivered in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought greater recognition to this responsibility, highlighting the importance of proper cleaning protocols, trained personnel, and collaboration between departments.
As Sean explains, EVS teams are increasingly included in infection prevention committees, occupational health and safety discussions, and broader healthcare decision-making.
This shift reflects a growing understanding that environmental services professionals are essential members of the healthcare team, not simply a supporting function.
Building a Stronger Voice for Canadian Environmental Services
One of the central topics of the episode is the mission behind CHESA.
Established to provide a dedicated Canadian voice for environmental services professionals, the association focuses on education, professional development, networking, and access to practical resources.
With its Forged in the North philosophy, CHESA emphasizes the importance of recognizing Canadian healthcare standards, regulations, and the unique challenges facing facilities across the country.
For environmental services managers working in hospitals, long-term care homes, and other healthcare settings, having access to a national professional community creates opportunities to share knowledge and learn from one another.
Whether a facility is located in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, or Atlantic Canada, many of the challenges are similar.
By bringing professionals together, CHESA aims to ensure that smaller facilities and independent teams have access to the same conversations, resources, and educational opportunities as larger healthcare organizations.
Infection Prevention Starts with Knowledge Sharing
Healthcare environments are constantly evolving, and so are the challenges associated with infection prevention.
New pathogens, changing regulations, and updated cleaning standards require environmental services teams to continuously adapt their practices.
During the episode, Wendy and Sean discuss the importance of sharing protocols, experiences, and practical solutions across healthcare facilities.
Rather than requiring every environmental services manager to develop procedures independently, industry collaboration allows teams to learn from existing approaches and adapt them to their specific environments.
This can include:
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Infection prevention and cleaning protocols
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Environmental cleaning standards and best practices
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Staff training and professional development
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Workload planning and cleaning time standards
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Resources for healthcare and long-term care facilities
For healthcare organizations, this exchange of knowledge can help improve consistency, strengthen infection prevention practices, and support safer patient and resident environments.
Investing in the People Behind Patient Safety
Another important theme throughout the conversation is the value of professional development.
Environmental services professionals possess specialized knowledge that is essential to healthcare operations. Yet their contributions have not always received the recognition they deserve.
CHESA is working to change that by creating opportunities for education, mentorship, networking, and leadership development.
Beyond sharing technical expertise, these connections can have a meaningful impact on individual careers.
Wendy and Sean share examples of professionals who have developed new skills, built industry relationships, and discovered career opportunities through the association.
It's a reminder that strengthening healthcare environmental services means investing in the people who deliver them every day.
Collaboration Is Key to Better Healthcare Environments
Perhaps the most important takeaway from this episode is the power of collaboration.
Whether it's sharing a cleaning protocol, discussing a new infection prevention challenge, or helping a colleague navigate their career, meaningful progress often begins with a conversation.
For healthcare facilities, suppliers, and industry associations, working together creates opportunities to improve practices, support frontline teams, and ultimately contribute to better patient care.
At George Courey Inc., we understand the importance of these partnerships. As a supplier of reusable healthcare textiles and linen solutions to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and institutional laundries across Canada, we recognize that dependable products are only one part of maintaining safe and efficient healthcare environments.
The knowledge, dedication, and collaboration of the professionals using and managing those products are equally important.
Looking Ahead: Giving Environmental Services the Recognition It Deserves
The role of environmental services in Canadian healthcare will continue to evolve as infection prevention standards, technologies, and patient expectations change.
Organizations like CHESA are helping ensure that environmental services professionals have the resources, recognition, and community they need to adapt and succeed.
And while much of their work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt throughout every healthcare facility.
Because quality healthcare isn't just about the care patients receive. It's also about the environment in which that care is delivered.
Listen to the Full Episode of Behind the Seams
Join Frank Ricci, Wendy Boone, and Shawn Bolger for an insightful conversation about the future of healthcare environmental services in Canada, infection prevention, professional development, and the importance of building a stronger industry community.
Tune in to Behind the Seams on YouTube or Spotify to hear the full conversation.
