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Inspection checklist

Medical office cleaning inspection checklist

Use this for routine inspections of medical, dental, and outpatient offices. Walk it the way a patient does: the entry and waiting room first, then check-in, the hallways, and the exam rooms. Where an item mentions a disinfectant, use the product and method the client specifies. Every item is something you can see, so two inspectors should reach the same answer.

51 items in 7 areas, 6 marked critical. Free to print and use.

Entry and waiting room
ItemPassFail
Entry glass and door handles free of smudges and fingerprints
Floor free of grit, spills, and footprintsCritical
Walk-off mats clean, flat, and not curling at the edges
Chair seats and arms wiped, with no stains on upholstery
Side tables and magazine racks dusted
Children's area toys and surfaces wiped as the client instructs
Wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers wiped on the outside
Trash emptied, liners replaced
Reception and check-in
ItemPassFail
Check-in counter wiped with the disinfectant the client specifies
Counter shield or glass partition free of smudges
Shared pens and clipboards wiped, if the client asks for it
Desks dusted only where clear
Papers, charts, and screens left where staff left them
Shred bins and locked document bins left untouched
Trash and recycling emptied, liners replaced
Exam and treatment rooms
ItemPassFail
High-touch surfaces wiped with the disinfectant the client specifies, including door handles and light switchesCritical
Exam table, chairs, and stools wiped as the client instructs
Counters and sink areas clean and dry
Sinks and faucets free of spots and residue
Soap and paper towel dispensers stockedCritical
Floor clean, including under the exam table and in corners
Regular trash emptied, liners replaced
Sharps containers and biohazard waste left for clinic staff unless the client says otherwise
Medical equipment, supplies, and medication or specimen refrigerators left untouched
Hallways and nurse stations
ItemPassFail
Floors free of scuffs, dust, and debris
Handrails and door push plates wiped
Nurse station counters wiped where clear
Patient scale platform wiped
Wheelchair handles and armrests wiped, if in scope
Drinking fountains clean
Trash emptied, liners replaced
Restrooms
ItemPassFail
Toilets clean inside and out, including the baseCritical
Grab bars, flush handles, and faucet handles wiped with the disinfectant the client specifies
Sinks, faucets, and counters clean and dry
Mirrors free of streaks and spots
Soap, paper towels, toilet paper, and seat covers stockedCritical
Floor clean, including corners and behind the toilet
No odorCritical
Baby changing station wiped
Trash and sanitary bins emptied, liners replaced
Staff break room
ItemPassFail
Counters and tables wiped
Sink clean, with no dishes left in it unless the client allows it
Microwave interior and exterior wiped
Refrigerator and appliance handles wiped
Trash and recycling emptied
Floor clean, with no sticky spots
Periodic work
ItemPassFail
Vents, ledges, and light fixtures dusted on schedule
Baseboards free of dust and scuffs
Waiting room upholstery cleaned on schedule
Carpet spots treated or reported
Periodic floor care on schedule

Tips for using this checklist

  • The client's infection-control instructions and product choices override this checklist. Get them in writing, and change any item that conflicts with them.
  • Ask the client what the crew must not touch, such as sharps containers, specimen refrigerators, and equipment. Put that list on the checklist so nobody has to guess.
  • A room can look clean and still be wiped the wrong way. Now and then, watch a cleaner do one exam room and check that they follow the product label and the client's method.
  • Keep patient information out of photos. Frame each failed item so charts, screens, and schedules stay out of the shot.
  • Walk the first few inspections with the office manager. They know which rooms patients see most and what staff have complained about before.

More on building a full program in How to build a cleaning inspection program.

See a completed sample inspection and its follow-up

Score this on a phone instead of a clipboard

In JanGuard, a checklist like this becomes an inspection template. Inspectors score each item on their phone and add photos, and failed items become deficiencies your team fixes and verifies.