The program combines evidence-based infection control strategies supported by U.S. agencies—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—with tactics to put the minds of facility leadership and occupants at ease. It provides the framework and confidence to ensure healthy facilities needed by in-house and contract cleaners during and beyond this crucial period and is comprised of 5 easy-to-follow steps:
1. Site Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
2. The Right Application Method and Disinfectant
3. Proper Infection Control Procedures
4. Critical Touch Points
5. Documentation of Tasks Performed
What Is GBAC Star™ Accreditation?
GBAC stands for the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, and it is a division of ISSA (The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic reopening, the council formed the GBAC Star™ performance-based facility accreditation program. Accreditation is intended to help facilities demonstrate a comprehensive system for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention, including:
• Commitment to strict protocols
• Confirmation of work practices, procedures, and documented systems in place
• Convincing customers that a facility is safe for business
Comprised of 20 steps, GBAC Star is promoted as the “gold standard of prepared facilities.” It is currently the industry’s only outbreak preparation, response, and recovery accreditation, though others may soon follow.
How Does the Smart Tools Program Support Accreditation?
Clearly, the goals of the Betco Smart Tools Enhanced Facility Disinfection Program and GBAC Star accreditation have much in common. Adoption of the Betco program and the act of seeking GBAC Star accreditation are extensions of the mission to provide safe and clean environments. Both communicate to facility occupants that providing services in a way that exceeds quality and compliance standards means something to your organization, and both lead to higher quality cleaning and disinfection, as well as better business performance.
The difference between the two, however, becomes more apparent in the steps themselves. While the steps for accreditation focus on actions a facility must take, the Smart Tools program is your go-to source for easy and straightforward information on how to take those actions. For example, the GBAC Star accreditation stipulates that “the facility shall share their PPE requirements for their cleaning and disinfection activities with the GBAC STAR™ review team.” Step 1 in the Betco program equips you with the knowledge to determine which types of PPE will be necessary, as well as resources for proper donning and doffing techniques.
In fact, the processes and tools in the 5 steps that comprise the Smart Tools Enhanced Facility Disinfection plug directly into the 20 steps that are required for GBAC Star accreditation, as demonstrated in the comparative guide below. In other words, Smart Tools provides a simple recipe and almost all of the ingredients for a stress-free and successful accreditation attempt the first time.
Click here to download the flyer.
With Smart Tools, you can get started immediately with our online tools that remove the guesswork and minimize disruption to your facility. Resources—many of which are available in both English and Spanish—include:
• Outlines: Guide selection of the best products and application methods based on the needs of a specific facility
• Task cards: Explain cleaning procedures with step-by-step instructions and guide clean teams to specific chemical products
and equipment to accomplish any cleaning or disinfection task
• Wall charts: Define chemicals, show the proper methods of application, and highlight the surfaces on which chemicals should be used
• Touch point lists: Establish
a baseline for a successful disinfection program by identifying and confirming critical high-touch surface disinfection objectives
• Certificates, posters, signs, flyers, and table tents: Provide reassurance to your employees, customers,
and vendors that enhanced disinfection was completed according to the highest industry standards
• Survey: Confirms your facility has been disinfected properly with EPA-registered products that meet CDC guidelines
With Betco, you are also gaining a partner in the process every step of the way. Our experts provide practical, straightforward guidance for your specific business model. Whether your facility is large or small, new or established, Betco’s Smart
Tools Enhanced Facility Disinfection Program can stand on its own and—should you wish to pursue GBAC Star accreditation—provide an “easy button” to help you streamline your application efforts for a positive outcome.
If you’re interested in learning more, please click here to fill out the online form, and a Betco representative
will contact you.