A Day in the Life of HCSG Waugh Chapel’s EVS Team
Behind every clean healthcare facility is a dedicated environmental services (EVS) team working tirelessly to ensure everything runs seamlessly. Their roles are more than just cleaning – they are responsible for the foundation that creates a safe and home-like environment for residents. Follow along as we explore the rhythm of HCSG’s EVS team at Autumn Lake at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills, Maryland, as they show us the ins and outs of a typical day in their life.
Department Management
With 12 team members ranging from housekeepers and laundry aides to floor techs and beyond, HCSG’s team at Waugh Chapel is constantly on the move. Account Manager Tammi Darby begins her morning with a daily meeting with Autumn Lake administrative staff to present plans and goals for the day and gather any discharge information for deep cleanings. Once the meeting is adjourned, Tammi is on the floor visiting her team members and making her presence known. She explained, “I’m constantly up and down the floor checking in with residents and my team. I want my team to know if they need absolutely anything from me that I’m available and able to help them.” On a typical day, Tammi manages five housekeepers, two laundry aides, and one floor tech, in addition to part-time employees who work on the weekends.
Autumn Lake at Waugh Chapel has a long-term care unit and a short-term rehabilitation unit. Each housekeeper is assigned to a specific unit, while the laundry aides and floor tech cover both. When new admissions are expected, the EVS team ensures everything is perfect and ready to welcome new residents by following their assigned schedules, checking inventory, and inspecting each unit. “If one of my housekeepers has more discharged rooms to clean than normal, I’ll jump in and help keep things moving.”
Housekeeping
HCSG Housekeeper since 2016
When a new resident moves in, Tammi introduces herself and explains the purpose of the team’s cleaning process. Tammi explained, “We have a deep clean card that tells residents which housekeeper cleaned their room, along with my phone extension. If anyone has concerns throughout their stay, they can always reach out to me, and I will handle their arrangements personally.”
While Tammi makes her rounds, the rest of her team has started their morning routines. Housekeeper Miesah “Mikki” Bailey has been with HCSG for nine months and is full of energy each morning, ready for the day. Mikki, along with the other housekeepers, walks around each unit to ensure everything is clear and sets up their supplies for their shift.
Housekeeper Alice Oliver, who has been working at Waugh Chapel for 38 years, eight with HCSG, begins her day greeting residents. She says, “I love the patients. They brighten my day, and I brighten theirs, first thing in the morning.” After greeting residents, Alice and the rest of the housekeepers begin sweeping, mopping, and dusting residents’ rooms. They continue their day, greeting residents individually and doing everything they can to keep their spaces are clean.
Floor Care & Projects
HCSG Floor Tech since 2011
As the day continues, Floor Tech Mark Morgan is scrubbing, waxing, and shining the floors throughout Waugh Chapel. Mark finds himself inspired by the connections made with residents as he cleans, motivating him to provide a clean and safe atmosphere that people want to live in. He said, “I want to make people feel welcomed when they come into our building.”
Laundry
Laundry Aides Lorena Canas and Elsa gather linens and clothes. They wash, dry, fold, and deliver clean items to resident’s rooms. Elsa explained, “I come in at 6 am, get the wash going, and start folding around 7 am. At 11 am, I check the resident rooms for a final wash before I leave at 2 pm.” Elsa, along with other laundry aides, handle resident’s clothing and make it a point to ask residents how they want their clothing folded and put back a certain way.
HCSG Laundry Aides since 2020
Working Together to Create Memorable Experiences
It’s evident that each team member goes the extra mile to make residents feel appreciated. District Manager Wayne Seward speaks glowingly about this team, saying, “We’re providing light to people who may not get visitors throughout the day. We aren’t just sanitizing and cleaning their rooms, but being their human connection.” Tammi chimed in, “My grandmother raised me and then I took care of her at the end of her life. I’ve always been in ‘healthcare,’ which has inspired me to care for people the way I would want my family to be taken care of, which is why we do things the way we do.”
A lot goes into maintaining a clean and safe environment. The work our EVS teams accomplish daily across the board and their tremendous impact on healthcare communities is commendable. Mopping, dusting, and washing make a significant difference in someone’s living space, but the key factor in making a space a home are the people that fill it. HCSG’s EVS team at Waugh Chapel is the difference.
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