Hospital Cleaning Shortage Threatens Patient Safety, Industry Warns
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Israel's Organization of Cleaning Companies has warned the Ministry of Health and major hospitals about a severe cleaning staff shortage, which they claim is jeopardizing patient safety and contributing to hospital-acquired infections. The organization reported that around 1,100 patients died in 2025 from such infections and highlighted high infection rates in ICUs. They are calling for urgent government intervention to address hiring difficulties, including those related to foreign workers, and to bolster cleaning services to prevent further patient harm and potential economic savings.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's cleaning companies warn of a "catastrophe" in hospitals due to a severe staff shortage.
- Approximately 1,100 patients died in 2025 from hospital-acquired infections, the organization claims.
- High rates of bloodstream infections in intensive care units exceed national targets.
- Hiring foreign cleaning staff is complicated by requirements for criminal record checks from home countries.
- Reducing hospital-acquired infections could save up to 111,000 hospital days and over 1 billion shekels annually.
- The organization represents 250 companies employing over 100,000 workers nationwide.
The Organization of Cleaning Companies in Israel has urgently appealed to the Ministry of Health and major hospital networks, including Hadassah, Shaare Zedek, and Clalit Health Services, to address a critical shortage of cleaning staff. The organization argues that this deficit hinders the maintenance of a clean and safe environment for patients and medical teams, potentially leading to a "catastrophe" in hospitals.
Citing data, the organization stated that approximately 1,100 patients died in Israel in 2025 due to infections acquired during hospitalization. The appeal also highlights high rates of bloodstream infections in intensive care units at several hospitals, exceeding national targets. The group emphasizes that strengthening cleaning services is essential to reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
A significant obstacle to hiring is the requirement for foreign workers to obtain clearances from their home countries, certifying they have no criminal records, particularly concerning sexual offenses or offenses against the helpless. The organization is urging the Ministry of Health to work with relevant authorities to find solutions that allow for increased staffing while maintaining necessary patient protections.
The shortage is not a new issue. In April 2024, a representative from Clalit Health Services reported a 21% deficit in cleaning staff across the organization's hospitals, a concern echoed by the Ministry of Health at the time. Shaare Zedek noted in November 2025 a severe difficulty in filling positions, estimating a gap of 50 to 100 workers within a year.
Research presented by the organization suggests that allocating more time for cleaning shared medical equipment, coupled with training and feedback, has been linked to a 34.5% reduction in hospital-acquired infections. The organization estimates that achieving even half this reduction could save between 89,000 and 111,000 hospital days annually, translating to an economic saving of approximately 900 million to 1.1 billion shekels. The organization, representing about 250 cleaning companies employing over 100,000 workers, seeks a meeting to advance solutions for the staffing shortage and bolster hospital cleaning systems.