09.12.25

European initiative for more standards: Project launch for the development of “Standardised cleaning procedures in patient rooms”

At the beginning of 2026, the Federal Association for Hygiene and Hospital Cleaning (BHUK) e. V. will launch a new guideline project that extends far beyond Germany's borders. The aim is to develop a Europe-wide, practice-oriented standard for the cleaning and disinfecting of patient rooms – a topic that has also been the subject of intense debate in Switzerland and Austria for years.

Numerous expert discussions and exchanges with authorities have made it increasingly clear that harmonised and scientifically sound procedures for cleaning patient rooms are currently lacking. Although individual national regulations provide guidance, there is currently no uniform, detailed procedure that reliably guides European healthcare facilities through the complex cleaning and hygiene steps. Even DIN 13063 – Hospital Cleaning – is perceived as insufficiently detailed for daily practice in German-speaking countries.

A clear call for cooperation

In order to ensure that the guidelines become a viable document that can be applied throughout Europe, the active participation of experts from Germany, Switzerland and Austria is expressly desired. All interested parties are invited to contribute their knowledge, experience and critical questions.

Whether as participants in the kick-off meeting, as specialist contributors in the working group or as consulting experts – every perspective contributes to the quality of the result.

Invitation to the online kick-off event: https://bhuk.de/events/einladung-kickoff-veranstaltung-leitfadenerstellung-standardisierte-reinigungsablaeufe-im-patientenzimmer

A European need for clarity and consistency

Especially in immediate patient environments, where the risk of infection is particularly high, a standardised approach is a crucial factor for patient safety, staff hygiene and efficient quality assurance. However, differing national standards make it difficult to exchange best practices, compare processes and collaborate across national borders.

The planned guidelines therefore deliberately focus on a European perspective: Switzerland and Austria are expressly invited to contribute their expertise and actively participate in shaping the process. Close cooperation between the three countries will result in a standard that is based on the highest current quality and safety requirements in German-speaking countries.

Interdisciplinarity as a foundation

The project is based on broad participation by experts from all relevant fields: hospital hygiene, hygiene specialists, health authorities, suppliers, service providers and representatives from hospitals, clinics and care facilities. This composition has been deliberately chosen to ensure that the guidelines are not only theoretically sound, but above all practical and applicable in everyday life.

This opens up the opportunity for Switzerland and Austria to contribute their own proven processes, address country-specific challenges and work with Germany to develop a standard that can be used beyond national borders.

Kick-off meeting as the starting point for a cross-border project

The official launch will take place on Friday, 9 January 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in a digital kick-off meeting via Zoom. The aim of the meeting is to present the project framework, discuss expectations and define the key topics.

Networking between different professions and country representatives is particularly important here – because the broader the expertise, the more robust the resulting guidelines will be.

A contribution to harmonisation in the healthcare sector

With this initiative, BHUK e. V. aims to make an important contribution to the professionalisation and standardisation of cleaning and hygiene work in the European healthcare sector. A uniform schedule offers a wide range of advantages:

• Greater patient safety through clearly defined processes
• Greater confidence in their work for cleaning staff
• Better comparability and quality assurance between institutions and countries
• Facilitation of regulatory oversight and internal audits

Switzerland and Austria also have the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive, cross-border standard that can serve as a reference work for German-speaking countries in the future.

Conclusion: A common path towards European quality standards

The creation of standardised cleaning procedures in patient rooms is an important step towards greater harmonisation and efficiency in hospital cleaning. The project is explicitly intended as a European cooperation project that thrives on the diversity of the expertise involved.

BHUK e. V. cordially invites experts from Germany, Switzerland and Austria to participate – with the common goal of developing a practical, successful and transnational standard work.

Contact

Do you have any questions or suggestions?
Feel free to contact us by e-mail: info@bhuk.de

Invitation to the online kick-off event: https://bhuk.de/events/einladung-kickoff-veranstaltung-leitfadenerstellung-standardisierte-reinigungsablaeufe-im-patientenzimmer