Perceptions of Clinical Connectedness Among Hospital Environmental Service Workers.

Importance: Environmental service workers (ESWs) have a critical role within the hospital infrastructure and are at the frontline of infection prevention. ESWs are highly trained in managing all forms of regulated waste, which includes biohazardous waste, and are responsible for the overall patient experience, janitorial work, and infection prevention. Without environmental services, patients have a 6 times greater risk of being infected by pathogens from patients who previously occupied their room.