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FREE FACTSHEET ON CONTROLLING DYSENTERY IN


CARE HOMES Infection control specialist, Cairn Care, has launched a free fact sheet to help care homes prevent the spread of dysentery.


Caused by shigella bacteria, bacillary dysentery is the most common type of dysentery in the UK. It can cause a wide range of unpleasant symptoms, including nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea that contains blood or mucus, fever and stomach cramps.


Although, the bug usually goes away within five to seven days without the need for medication, some people may need to be admitted to hospital if their symptoms become severe or their illness leads to further complications.


The shigella bacteria are spread when the faeces of an infected person are transferred into another person’s mouth. This usually happens because the infected person has not washed their hands properly aſter going to the toilet and then leaves infected deposits on touch points in their surroundings.


When this happens, it can spread to a lot of people very quickly if the correct infection control measures and hand hygiene practices are not put in place to prevent this. As a result, care homes are obviously high-risk environments for


CHUBB HELPS PROTECT THE


ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE Chubb Fire & Security Limited’s Community Care business is furthering the safety of elderly and vulnerable residents under the care of the Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) with a new monitoring contract for their sheltered housing properties.


The monitoring service connects a resident’s warden call and home alarm system with Chubb’s 24-hour alarm receiving centre (ARC). If a resident triggers an alarm, skilled operators at the ARC are able to respond immediately. They have access to the medical notes of each user, and instructions on whom to contact in the event of an emergency.


The system will oversee nearly 270 sheltered properties and includes monitoring of a range of warden call and alarm systems, including third-party technologies.


Jeanette Barnes, Head of Supporting People, DGHP, said mobilisation went very smoothly: “Transferring all contact and medical details, as well as updating all systems to the new monitoring centre was no small job, but it was handled very well by Chubb managers and engineers.


“All site visits were timely, and management were very accessible and responsive to queries. Overall communication was excellent and this gives us great confidence for our future business relationship with Chubb.”


www.chubbcommunitycare.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsCare - 9 -


isolated incidents turning into full blown outbreaks.


Add to this the fact that care homes may have elderly residents whose immune systems are already compromised because of age or pre-existing conditions and the threat of a dysentery outbreak has to be taken very seriously.


Peter Binns, Managing Director of Cairn Care says: “With a 10-step plan for stopping the spread of dysentery and a visual handwashing guide, which can be printed off and displayed in key areas, this guide is invaluable reading for anyone wanting to learn about tacking this very unpleasant bug.”


To request your free fact sheet ‘Controlling dysentery in your care home’ email info@cairncare.co.uk.


www.cairncare.co.uk


Chubb was able to demonstrate in the competitive tender that it could exceed industry standards regarding how quickly calls are answered, as well as delivering cost efficiencies to the housing partnership.


“We were impressed by Chubb’s understanding of dealing with vulnerable people, and in their understanding of the importance of communication,” Barnes said. “When incidents happen overnight, housing managers need to be made aware as soon as possible, and we are confident that Chubb will be able to provide this critical service.”


DGHP is a registered social landlord providing homes to 10,300 tenants and has a programme to build new high-quality, affordable housing across the region.


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