Behind every sparkling floor and sanitized surface is a dedicated team of Housekeeping staff who keep our Hospital safe, clean, and welcoming every single day. With cheerful attitudes and a strong sense of purpose, our housekeepers:

• Help prevent infections by maintaining the highest cleaning standards
• Create a calm and comfortable environment for patients and families
• Offer a friendly face during stressful times
• Support clinical teams by making sure every space is ready for care

Whether it’s an operating room or a waiting room, their work ensures our Hospital is a place of healing, dignity, and safety.

Whitney (left) and Nesar (right), two members of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Housekeeping team, invited us to have a peek into a day in their work life.

Whitney and Nesar start their shift by collecting their work phone and pager, vital tools to respond promptly to cleaning requests, patient discharges, and urgent sanitation needs. These communication devices allow the team to receive real-time updates on room status changes, respond swiftly to infection control protocols, support patient turnover and improve bed availability and maintain a clean and safe environment for all patients, families, and staff.

The cleaning cart is a mobile workstation that supports the Housekeeping team in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming Hospital environment. Equipped with the right tools and supplies, the cart allows staff to clean rooms thoroughly and efficiently, without unnecessary trips back and forth.

Each department has properly stocked and organized carts to prevent cross-contamination and support strict infection prevention and control standards.  The carts have everything from high-touch disinfectants to PPE, everything needed for a thorough clean is ready and accessible.

Nesar and Whitney at one the Hospital’s bucket filling stations, explaining how it is carefully organized to ensure that the right chemicals are used at the correct concentrations to effectively disinfect surfaces and maintain a sanitary environment. Chemical safety is a critical part of their job and housekeepers must follow strict guidelines and training to handle cleaning agents properly.

Cleaning and sterilizing are essential to keeping the environment safe for patients and staff. Cleaning involves removing dirt, dust, and organic matter from surfaces, while sterilizing goes further to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms. Housekeepers use specialized chemicals and equipment to perform these tasks effectively. Their attention to detail helps prevent infections.

“My Nana was head of housekeeping at McKellar Hospital, and I grew up watching how much pride she took in her work,” says Whitney. “Now I’m walking the same path. I have been here 15 years, and I truly enjoy what I do. No two days are the same, I’m constantly multitasking, and there is always something new. But being a part of helping patients feel safe and cared for is the best part. I take pride in knowing my work makes a difference, and I treat the cleaning like it’s my family member who is going to use [the facility] next.”

“I love my job,” says Nesar. “Being a housekeeper in the Hospital isn’t just about cleaning. We are a critical part of the patient experience and care. I’ve learned so much working here, from infection prevention and control to how to comfort someone with just a smile. I love how each day is different. And the appreciation from patients! It has all made me grow in ways I never expected.”