GBAC STAR 20 Program Elements

Facility Leadership, Commitment, and Planning

Elements 1-4

1. Organizational roles, responsibilities, and authorities
2. Facility commitment statement
3. Sustainability and continuous improvement
4. Conformity and compliance

These elements are the most critical parts of the accreditation process because they establish the facility’s commitment at all levels of the business to the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation Program. First, take the time to determine which staff can best champion this initiative on behalf of the facility. Next, develop a commitment statement that is signed by senior leadership and communicated to all stakeholders. Make sure to build continuous improvement processes into your program so that your facility not only addresses today’s outbreaks but has a sustainable process for the long term. Finally, identify all national, state, and local legal and regulatory requirements associated with cleaning and disinfection for your industry.

Goals and Strategies
Elements 5-8

5. Goals, objectives, and targets
6. Program controls and monitoring
7. Risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies
8. Standard operating procedures

Now it’s time to get strategic! Establish the goals and objectives for your facility based on any existing assessments or audits and based on customer and employee feedback. Set up program control measures – and documented procedures to monitor those measures. Now it is time to tie it all together: Implement methods for ongoing risk assessments and when risks are identified, make sure that the program control measures are adequately designed and implemented to eliminate or mitigate those risks. Finally, establish internal standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention work practices.

Supplies and Inventory Management
Elements 9-13

9. Tools and equipment
10. Cleaning and disinfection chemicals
11. Inventory control and management
12. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
13. Waste management

Details are everything for this set of elements. Technology, tools, and solutions change constantly so review and consider different equipment periodically. Cleaning and disinfectant chemicals should be appropriate for the area and objects being treated, the environment surrounding the area, and the germs, viruses, and other infectious agent(s) of concern. Review inventory control and management plans for supplies, tools, and equipment, including PPE requirements for staff. You must also ensure that your building has waste management plans and procedures in place.

Training, Preparation, and Prevention
Elements 14-17

14. Personnel training and competency
15. Emergency preparedness and response
16. Facility infection disease prevention policies
17. Worker health program

A good cleaning and disinfection program only works if there is consistent training and preparation. Ensure that cleaning personnel are properly trained and competent to carry out their responsibilities. Competence levels can be judged based on appropriate education, training, certifications, and experience. Establish and maintain an emergency preparedness and response process. Also address the needs of your customers, clients and visitors with comprehensive infection control prevention programs. Finally, ensure that risks to your workers’ physical and psychological health are managed effectively through a worker health program that includes all cleaning personnel who could be directly impacted by exposure to infectious materials.

Constant Vigilance
Elements 18-20

18. Audits and inspections
19. Control of suppliers
20. Documentation management

It’s time to tie all the elements of your program together. Create an internal audit and inspection program to check that your facility’s programs are being properly implemented and requirements are being maintained. Establish criteria for the selection, evaluation, and re-evaluation of suppliers of products and services. Make sure those suppliers also comply and conform to your facility’s specific requirements. Write everything down – we have provided a list of suggested documents to include in your documentation management process. By now, you should have documented every part of your process and should make this documentation available, where needed, and protected, where required. Your most current policies, plans, procedures, protocols, records should always align with the best practices of the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation Program.