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A recent study revealed that over 84% of participants expect therapists to adhere to the highest hygiene practices in their clinics, with 64% willing to invest up to $5 more to ensure these standards. This shows that being hygienic can attract more clients and increase profits.
Whether you run a clinic or salon, prioritising hygiene is crucial to your professional growth. Here are three ways being hygienic can improve your business.
Therapy providers, including those in allied health, have a legal duty to ensure a safe environment for everyone — employees, patients and visitors alike. Customers lie down on shared therapy beds in hospital, clinical, massage and beauty settings. In some cases, they will place their faces into a hole that may be filled with harmful germs. This makes proper hygiene an absolute must — not just for your business but also for your clients.
Research shows a significant level of contamination in healthcare settings. For example, a 2006 study discovered that over 70% of all clinic equipment is contaminated with infectious bacteria. Another study in 2014 found that many items and surfaces in patient rooms and clinical areas are repeatedly contaminated, especially in areas with infected patients.
Areas like general wards, outpatient clinics and allied health departments, which might not have as strict cleaning protocols, tend to carry more dangerous microorganisms than other spaces. Bacteria can survive on surfaces for days or weeks — methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), for instance, can last up to nine weeks. Simply touching a contaminated surface can spread MRSA as easily as touching an infected patient.
In short, good hygiene practices are key to preventing infections and promoting overall wellbeing in your business.
Hygiene is crucial for employees to maintain a healthy and productive workplace. And the numbers don’t lie — sick leave costs Australian small businesses an average of $3,608 per worker every year. According to Safe Work Australia, that’s a grand total of $61.8 billion nationwide.
The ‘2023 Absence management and wellbeing report’ revealed more alarming statistics. Fifty-eight per cent of all surveyed companies noticed a rise in employee absences, which is a cause for concern. In 2022, employees took more sick days compared to 2019 — a whopping 23% increase in just three years. On average, each staff member took 14 days of sick leave.
More organisations believed employee absences were underreported, increasing from 36% pre-COVID to 55% post-COVID in 2023. The average number of days lost per employee due to illness increased by 2.6 since the pre-COVID 2019 survey.
Being hygienic in your business contributes to a healthier workplace and workforce. Maintaining cleanliness reduces the spread of germs and illnesses, leading to fewer sick days. This translates into happier employees who are less likely to take time off due to health issues, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings for the business. It's a win-win situation for employers and employees alike.
In 2017, a US woman developed a severe bacterial infection from a pedicure, leading to multiple surgeries and a US$1.3 million lawsuit. Samantha Payne, of Richmond, Virginia, developed painful boil-like lesions on her legs two to three weeks after a 2012 pedicure from the former Red Nails of T&I salon. Doctors concluded she had developed a cutaneous mycobacterial infection, which causes painful sores to form, grow and spread up the legs. Multiple surgeries were required to remove the infections, leaving permanent scars.
It’s no secret that people feel safer and more comfortable in a clean and hygienic space. This helps build a trusting relationship between you and your patients or clients. Being hygienic shows your clients that their comfort and wellbeing are important to you, leading to increased loyalty, positive reviews, and repeat business.
Did you know that over half of the patients who have been with their practitioner for more than two years are willing to change to someone who uses more hygienic products? Research also shows that 65% of clients are willing to pay 50 cents or more for a product that will help reduce the spread of germs.
Unfortunately for towels, harmful germs and bacteria can survive on their material for weeks — even with regular washing. Studies have also shown that over 93% of participants preferred the BodyShield to a washed towel or a wiped therapy bed, claiming it was more comfortable, hygienic and gave them peace of mind. Learn how to properly treat and clean towels in our blog, The Trouble With Treating Towels.
Maintaining hygiene isn't just about cleanliness; it's about protecting your business. Failure to comply with hygiene regulations can result in severe consequences for your clinic or salon. The government can impose various penalties, such as improvement notices, prohibition orders and fines ranging from $110 to $2,200.
For instance, receiving a prohibition order means temporarily closing your business and comes with extra expenses. Business owners hit with this order must pay a reinspection fee of $255 per hour, with a minimum charge of 30 minutes. The order also requires you to display a copy near the entrance for clients to see, potentially damaging your business' reputation.
Read: Everything You Need to Know About Salon Hygiene: A Complete Guide
In addition to keeping your clinic or salon out of legal trouble, being clean and hygienic protects your business' reputation. When facing health crises or issues related to cleanliness, being hygienic and actively cleaning your workspace shows your dedication to public safety and wellness. Properly managing cleanliness during emergencies can reduce negative views and potential harm to your business' reputation.
Prioritising hygiene creates a safer, more welcoming environment for your clients and staff, improves your reputation and grows your business' success. By investing in high-quality hygiene products, like our FaceShield and BodyShield, you can ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and comfort, setting your business apart from the competition.
Take the first step towards a cleaner, safer and more successful business. Explore our product range and see the difference it can make to your clinic or salon.
Ensuring top-notch hygiene in therapy and allied health settings is vital for client safety. Shared equipment can easily lead to cross-contamination without strict hygiene protocols. Towels, frequently used in these environments, can harbour bacteria even after washing, posing risks to both clients and therapists. This guide will help you understand these risks, avoid common mistakes and implement the best hygiene practices, all while being environmentally conscious.
