Better Cleaning Through “Contextual Excellence”

Published On: June 29, 2023Categories: All Posts, Cleaning, Cleaning for Health, ICM, Systems

Better cleaning and disinfection comes under the heading of “contextual excellence” (a term used by Dr. Bill Bellows of The Deming Institute).

Dr. Deming said: “Suppose you tell me that my job is to wash this table. You show me soap, water, and a brush. I still have no idea what the job is. I must know what the table will be used for after I wash it. Why wash it? Will the table be used to set food on? If so, it is clean enough now. If it is to be used for an operating table, I must wash the table several times with scalding water, top, bottom, and legs; also the floor below it and around it.” (The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education)

Clearly, the appropriate sustainable cleaning and disinfecting intervention depends on the situation; that is, excellence is contextual.