Hygiene monitoring
Hygiene- und Umfeldmonitoring

Hygiene monitoring in quality assurance

Personal hygiene monitoring

Surface testing

Air quality testing

Performance check of cleaning equipment

Hygiene monitoring as the cornerstone of successful processes

Micro-organisms are invisible to the naked eye. Hygiene is therefore a fundamental part of prevention and is closely linked to consumer health protection. It is therefore important to constantly monitor the success of hygiene measures in healthcare facilities, restaurants and hotels, the food industry and the manufacture of medicines and medical devices. Hygiene testing methods are therefore an essential part of quality assurance. BIOSERV offers hygiene quality assurance for companies from a single source.

Hygiene is defined by the German Society Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie as “the study of the prevention of disease and the maintenance and strengthening of health”. Hygiene is therefore part of medical prevention and is closely linked to consumer health protection.

Range of tests for hygiene control

  • Evaluation of bio-indicators for validation and routine testing of cleaning and disinfection processes
  • Recording of temperature-time curves using thermologgers
  • Testing the hygienic condition of surfaces using microbiological systems
  • Analysis of water samples
  • Microbiological testing of air
  • Inspection of clean rooms – surface and air hygiene
  • Examination of HVAC system samples

Hygiene monitoring in the different sectors

As part of self-monitoring, healthcare facilities are subject to biochemical and microbiological testing requirements as specified in the “ Infektionsschutzgesetz”, the “Trinkwasserverordnung”, the “Medizinprodukte-Betreiber­verordnung” and in  “Empfehlungen der Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention”.

However, the manufacture of safe products – medical devices, pharmaceuticals and food – is only possible if good hygiene conditions are maintained. Continuous monitoring of the cleanliness of the environment, the hygiene of personnel and the raw materials used ensures consistently high quality standards and perfect products that pose no risk to the health of the consumer.

Probenahme Bioserv
Händewaschen Bioserv

Regardless of the size of the manufacturer, appropriate cleaning and process control procedures are therefore required.

Production and process hygiene is just as important for restaurant kitchens as it is for ice-cream factories or large meat processing plants. The same applies to pharmacies producing custom formulations or large manufacturers of medical products such as bone screws.

Hygiene monitoring for all industries

  • Inspection of dishwashers
  • Washing machine testing
  • Drinking water analysis
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Food testing
  • Dishwasher testing
  • Washing machine testing
  • Testing of cleaning and disinfection equipment (bedpan washers)
  • Drinking water analysis
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Food testing
  • Dishwasher testing
  • Washing machine testing
  • Testing of cleaning and disinfection equipment (bedpan washers)
  • Drinking water analysis
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Food testing
  • Testing of washing machines
  • Testing the microbiological status of laundry
  • Drinking water analyses
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Food testing
  • Drinking water analyses
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Washing machine testing
  • Cleaning and disinfection equipment testing
  • Microbiological testing of process water Dental units
  • Drinking water analysis
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Washing machine testing
  • Testing of cleaning and disinfection equipment
  • Personal hygiene
  • Food testing (raw materials and finished products)
  • Drinking water analysis
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Testing of indoor air
  • Testing of cleaning and disinfection equipment, process validation
  • Personal hygiene
  • End product testing
  • Drinking water analysis
  • Environmental testing after cleaning and disinfection
  • Indoor air testing
  • Testing of cleaning and disinfection equipment, process validation
  • Personal hygiene
  • End product controls

BIOSERV’s competent and trained samplers guarantee correct sampling in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the neighbouring federal states as well as the fastest possible transport to our own laboratory.

Do you need a quotation for hygiene monitoring?

FAQ about hygiene monitoring

How can companies ensure that their hygiene monitoring is effective?

To ensure that hygiene monitoring is effective, companies should take several steps. These include implementing a systematic hygiene management system with clear protocols and responsibilities. Regular staff training is essential to ensure that everyone involved understands the importance of hygiene and uses the correct methods. Selecting an experienced and certified laboratory for sample analysis is also important to ensure accurate and reliable results. Finally, hygiene monitoring should be continually reviewed and adapted to respond to changes in the environment or production processes and to ensure the highest standards of hygiene.

How is hygiene monitoring carried out?

Hygiene monitoring involves several steps. First, samples are taken from surfaces, air and water. These samples are then analysed in a laboratory for the presence of micro-organisms and other contaminants. Methods used include swab samples, air samples, swabs and water samples. The results of the analyses are documented and evaluated to determine whether the specified hygiene standards are being met. If deviations are found, measures are taken to improve hygiene and the effectiveness of these measures is monitored.

How often should hygiene monitoring be carried out?

The frequency of hygiene monitoring depends on a number of factors, including the specific requirements of the industry, risk assessment and legal requirements. In the food industry, regular monitoring is necessary to ensure product safety. In the healthcare sector, hospitals and doctors’ surgeries should have continuous hygiene checks, especially in areas with a high risk of infection. Pharmaceutical plants and clean rooms also require regular, often daily, monitoring to maintain strict standards of cleanliness.

What are the benefits of professional hygiene monitoring?

Professional hygiene monitoring has many benefits. It ensures compliance with legislation and industry standards, thereby avoiding legal consequences. It improves product safety and quality, which increases customer confidence and protects the company’s reputation. It reduces the risk of contamination and infection, protecting the health of consumers and patients. It also enables early detection and correction of hygiene deficiencies, reducing long-term costs associated with recalls or treatment costs.

What are the legal requirements for hygiene monitoring?

Regulatory requirements for hygiene monitoring vary by industry and country. In the EU, for example, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs requires food manufacturers to implement systematic hygiene management. In the healthcare sector, there are guidelines and recommendations from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on infection prevention. The pharmaceutical industry must comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, which include strict hygiene requirements. According to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, cosmetic manufacturers must ensure that their products are manufactured under hygienic conditions.

What areas require hygiene monitoring?

Hygiene monitoring is particularly important in areas such as food production, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and cleanrooms. Food production facilities need to ensure that their products are free from pathogenic micro-organisms. Hospitals and medical practices need to prevent the spread of infection. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies must guarantee the purity of their products to ensure the safety of end users. Clean rooms require strict control to ensure the purity of air and surfaces.

What happens if deviations are found during hygiene monitoring?

If hygiene monitoring reveals deviations from the specified standards, immediate action must be taken. First, a root cause analysis is performed to identify the source of the contamination. Based on the results, corrective actions are implemented, which can range from cleaning and disinfecting the affected areas to adjusting processes and training personnel. Once the measures have been implemented, a reassessment is carried out to ensure that the problems have been resolved and that hygiene standards have been restored.

What is hygiene monitoring?

Hygiene monitoring is the continuous process of monitoring and evaluating hygienic conditions in various environments, particularly in sensitive areas such as food production, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The aim is to ensure compliance with hygiene regulations and to minimise the risk of contamination and infection. This is achieved through regular sampling, testing and evaluation of surfaces, air and water.

What is the role of documentation in hygiene control?

Documentation plays a key role in hygiene monitoring. It includes the recording of all samples taken, test results, deviations and actions taken. Careful documentation is necessary to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements and to provide evidence in the event of audits or inspections. It also provides full traceability and helps to identify trends or recurring problems that may indicate systematic deficiencies. Good documentation practice therefore supports continuous improvement of hygiene management.

Why is Hygiene Monitoring important?

Hygiene monitoring is essential to ensure the safety and quality of products and services. In the food industry, it prevents contamination that could lead to food poisoning. In healthcare, it protects patients from nosocomial infections. In the pharmaceutical industry, it ensures the purity and efficacy of medicines. Continuous monitoring allows problems to be identified early and action to be taken to improve hygiene.

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