Custodians in the LAC+USC Medical Center Emergency Department launched our new Shift to Shift Communication System on Feb. 7. The system, which supports custodians transitioning their work between shifts just as physicians and nurses do, was developed by frontline custodians and managers through our labor-management partnership.
And it’s working: we’ve achieved dramatic improvements in the readiness of our custodian carts and equipment, which means we can spend more time focusing on cleaning and safeguarding patient safety.
“Because of shift to shift, custodians in the Emergency Department are more informed. We have made improvements in relationships between shifts, work flow and staffing levels. We are truly a stronger team due to this new process.”
— Rocio Gonzalez, Custodian
Additional changes being made or planned for the Emergency Department include:
- Hiring someone to run the scrubber throughout the area at night
- Creating a separate assignment that includes E.D. West, Adult Waiting and Showers
- Assigning different special projects to each shift to ensure that we achieve and maintain the appropriate standard of cleanliness.
- Utilize General Relief (GR) custodians to help clean the lobby starting at 7AM
We will also be working together throughout the hospital to:
- Reinforce our 10-Step cleaning process, and to bring in more custodians and supervisors throughout the hospital.
- Refine the Shift to Shift Communication System to allow Supervisors to follow up on parts of the work that need to be prioritized by the incoming shift
- Spread our Shift to Shift Communication System to other parts of our hospital, starting with the 6th floor of the Inpatient Tower
For more information on how custodians are working to improve communication and cleanliness, contact Worksite Organizer Carlos Magdaleno at 213-494-8189.