Housekeeping Staff Appreciation Day
In a hospital setting, housekeeping involves much more than cleaning. It plays a vital role in infection prevention and helps ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Experts in cleanliness for care services
Every day, housekeeping staff at the Glen site, the Montreal General Hospital, The Neuro, the Allan Memorial Institute, and the Lachine Hospital maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of millions of square feet of clinical and non-clinical space. Their work reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections through rigorous protocols, the use of advanced technologies such as Nocospray dry-fogging systems and UV disinfection robots, as well as comprehensive quality-control measures.
A clean environment is reassuring for patients, families and staff. Trained in accordance with industry best practices, housekeeping helps ensure a clean, safe, and supportive setting for care.
Also worth noting, the MUHC is advancing its sustainability efforts through a comprehensive waste-management plan, recycling initiatives, and the use of LEED-certified cleaning products which are environmentally friendly.
Dedicated to the MUHC for 38 years
To mark Housekeeping Day, we met with Kelvin Paul, a familiar face at the Glen site. With 38 years of service at the MUHC, he embodies the consistency that defines our housekeeping teams. Kelvin began his career at the former Royal Victoria Hospital in 1988.
“Back then, the Royal Vic felt like one big family,” he recalls. One of his most memorable experiences was the move to the Glen site. “We were asked to come in before the hospital officially opened. I remember it was hard to find my way around because the place was so large.”
Today, Kelvin holds a unique role: operating the Zamboni, a floor-scrubbing machine which maintains the Glen site’s extensive corridors. “We cover the entire area twice during the day and once at night. There’s a lot more traffic during the day, so you have to be especially vigilant,” he explains.
After nearly four decades, Kelvin still values the camaraderie that welcomed him when he first joined the MUHC. His daily work reminds him of the hospital’s important mission: “Every day when I cross paths with patients, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am to have my health. We should never take life for granted.”
A team who makes a difference
Today, through employees like Kelvin, we acknowledge the often unseen, essential work of housekeeping teams. Their work maintains a safe and care-focused environment that welcomes patients, families, and staff across the MUHC.