OGDENSBURG -- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center recently released a statement praising their cleaning staff for what they call "Healthcare Environmental Services Week," which they marked during Sept. 9 to 15.

"The first line of defense in infection control begins with adequately trained and equipped environmental services staff. These unsung heroes play a critical role in hospital safety. They aid in the prevention of communicable disease by thoroughly sanitizing public areas and private rooms alike. Every minute of every day, environmental services staff quietly work to make the Medical Center a place free from germs, bacteria that can cause hospital-acquired infections. They understand precisely what chemicals or disinfectant is required to kill many organisms that can make people sick, and are experts at eliminating cross-contamination between rooms or processes," the statement said.