Environmental services' morale sometimes suffers on the job

To maintain a sense of dignity, some healthcare cleaning professionals reported feeling numb and apathetic toward their job and work duties, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.

In a survey of 87 cleaning professionals and 126 other employees, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., measured differences in feelings, emotional well-being and tendencies toward particular work behaviors between the two groups. 

The study said that environmental services staffers may avoid certain tasks, procrastinate and withdraw from their team and co-workers, perhaps taking little pride in their tasks.

Such a situation can hurt patient safety and experience, the article said.

Read the article.