From Buckets to best practices: The evolution of sanitation at West Texas VA
By Ricardo Branch, Public Affairs Specialist
Keeping Veterans safe is at the heart of VA’s mission and nowhere is that more evident than in the evolution of sanitation and infection prevention.
From mop buckets and soap to advanced cleaning systems and even robotic floor cleaners, infection prevention has advanced alongside modern medicine, to meet the needs of every Veteran care.
Humble Beginnings
In the early days of VA health care, infection prevention looked very different. Facilities relied on basic cleaning tools, limited staff, and manual disinfection methods; mop buckets, soap, and cloth rags were the standard. Waste management systems were minimal, and few formal policies governed cleanliness outside of surgical and inpatient units. What we now know as Environmental Management Services (EMS) did not exist. Most often, it was the nursing aids and candy-stripers who cleaned patient rooms after visits and discharges. While staff worked hard to maintain a safe environment, they had limited training, resources, and technology.
Building the EMS Team
Over time, the knowledge and importance of disinfection, cleaning and maintenance of medical equipment required cleaner environments — and the VA adapted. By the 1970s and 1980s, Environmental Management Service (EMS) teams became established as a dedicated workforce responsible for facility hygiene. Standardized cleaning schedules, protective equipment, and stronger disinfectant chemicals made their way into routine care.
The 1990s and early 2000s brought structured infection prevention and control practices that expanded beyond patient rooms to common areas, clinics, and even administrative spaces. EMS staff received specialized training and began using new disinfectants capable of targeting a wider range of pathogens, cutting maintenance time dramatically.
Pandemic Shifts and Modern Tools
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a major turning point. With heightened awareness of airborne and surface-based transmission, sanitation rapidly modernized. At the WTVAHCS, cleaning frequency increased across all facilities, electrostatic sprayers were introduced, and high-touch areas like door handles, waiting chairs, and elevators became top priorities.
EMS professionals worked alongside Occupational Health and Infection Prevention to implement CDC-based guidelines and ensure staff across the system had the training and supplies they needed to keep Veterans and staff safe.
Today, new disinfectants are helping EMS staff clean more effectively and efficiently. Previous versions required soak-times of ten minutes or more to ensure any lingering contagions were neutralized. Now, industry leading disinfectants now in use at WTVAHCS, that soak time has been reduced to as little as 1 minute for most applications.
“This new spray saves us a lot of time,” said Olga Gamboa, EMS employee at the George H. O’Brien, Jr. VA Medical Center. “It covers more surface area and works faster than the old products we used, so we can spend more time focusing on other areas that need attention. It really makes a difference in how quickly we can get a room ready for the next Veteran.”
Innovation on the Move: Robotic Cleaning
One of the latest additions to the WTVAHCS sanitation arsenal is the introduction of a robotic floor cleaner. The autonomous machine helps cover large hallways and common areas more efficiently, freeing EMS staff to focus on high-touch areas and specialized sanitation tasks. The sensors in the device ensure safe navigation around the facility, around staff and visitors, while its data-tracking system allows supervisors to monitor cleaning coverage in real time.
“This technology is more than just a machine — It’s an extra set of hands for our team,” said Mike Calvio, Chief of Environmental Management Service at WTVAHCS. “It allows us to keep spaces cleaner, faster, and more consistent, which means Veterans can trust that the facilities where they receive care are safe.”
Veterans have noticed the difference. U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Domingo Silva, who receives care at the George H. O’Brien, Jr. VA Medical Center, said, “You can see how much effort they put into keeping things clean. When I walk in and the floors are shining, the air feels fresh, and everything is taken care of, it makes me feel safe. It shows they respect us.”
A Commitment That Lasts
Even the air is part of the sanitation story. HVAC upgrades, negative pressure rooms, and filtration systems help protect Veterans with infectious conditions and support sterile environments in surgical and procedural areas.
The EMS team also plays an important role in VA emergency response and pandemic preparedness. They partner with logistics, facilities management, and nursing leadership to ensure sanitation supports continuity of care during public health events and natural disasters.
Through every era, one thing has stayed the same: a commitment to protecting those who served. What began as a handful of custodial tools has evolved into a sophisticated, science-based system that safeguards Veterans, staff, caregivers, and visitors across West Texas.
At the West Texas VA Health Care System, sanitation isn’t just about cleaning — it’s about service, safety, and honoring the trust Veterans place in WTVAHCS in providing their care.