New study
families. These challenges highlight the need for tailored solutions that consider the unique circumstances of each care home whilst meeting the needs of their residents and providing a safe environment.
Balancing IPC with resident needs Care homes must navigate the delicate balance between adhering to IPC protocols and respecting the personal needs of their residents. This is particularly evident in the laundering of personal clothing, which often requires gentler washing cycles to prevent damage. The guidance addresses this issue by introducing a risk-based approach that allows care homes to tailor their practices to the specific needs of their residents while maintaining high standards of hygiene. Residents and their families often
express concerns about the condition of personal items after laundering. Transparent communication about the reasons behind certain practices, such as higher washing temperatures, can help alleviate these concerns. Additionally, investing in high-quality commercial equipment and detergents could minimise the risk of damage, ensuring that residents’ personal items are treated with care.
The newly developed simplified guidance places education at the forefront
Addressing resource constraints One of the most pressing issues for care homes is the lack of appropriate infrastructure to support effective laundry management. Smaller facilities, in particular, often rely on domestic washing machines that are not designed to meet the rigorous standards required for IPC. Upgrading to commercial grade equipment capable of achieving thermal or chemical disinfection is a necessary step, albeit one that requires significant investment. Space limitations further compound the problem. Many care homes, especially those in older buildings, lack the room to establish separate areas for clean and soiled laundry. This makes it challenging to maintain the ‘dirty-to-clean’ workflow that is critical for preventing cross-contamination of microorganisms. Innovative solutions, such as modular laundry units or portable segregation systems, could help address these space constraints.
The importance of training and education Education is the foundation of effective IPC. The new guidance prioritises training, offering a range of resources to support staff development, including posters and infographics highlighting critical steps in laundry management, and example risk assessment to help staff identify and mitigate potential hazards. The simplified guidance created emphasises the ‘why’ behind IPC protocols, the guidance aims to foster a culture of compliance and understanding among care home staff. A care home catering and housekeeping support specialist noted that: “Personally, I think all staff should have
laundry training, because what I’ve found is that, if they’re short staffed, they will put people in to cover the laundry. They think the laundry is easy to do but it isn’t – its hard work.”
Education and continual updates are particularly important given the high turnover of staff in the care home sector. Standardised training programs that are accessible to all staff, including agency workers, can help ensure consistency in practices. Moreover, ongoing professional development opportunities can keep staff
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April 2025
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
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