Infection prevention & control
responsible for implementing risk assessments, strategies, policies, and product specification — is chosen for the role. Currently, the professional must qualify as a ‘competent person’ to enter this role, but how do we define that? According to the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), a competent person is one who has ‘sufficient training and experience or knowledge to do the required job’. This includes ‘an understanding of relevant statutory requirements and an appreciation of the hazards involved’. The HSE states the person appointed
‘does not have to be employed by the employer but does need to know all the factors arising from the employer’s work that may affect health and safety.’ While the HSE’s definition appears
comprehensive, the reality is that such a broad definition of competence is inevitably open to interpretation. There are currently no specific details about what ‘sufficient training and experience’ really means, which ultimately puts the onus on the individual healthcare provider to determine who can successfully fulfil the role. In Bristan’s white paper, when asked whether this role should be more clearly
described, more than half (52 per cent) felt there should be a specific definition which sets out a clear criterion for choosing a competent person, while a third (32 per cent) believed a recognised qualification should be put in place to accredit individuals, only 15 per cent felt that the current system is adequate. This therefore lays out a general
agreement that the current holistic process of designating a competent person is not fit for purpose.
Current challenges Due to the nature of infection control in water delivery and the potential to jeopardise patient and staff safety, the level of information and training available to care professionals should be as extensive and accessible as possible. However, this does not appear to be the case.
According to Bristan’s white paper,
when proposed the question ‘Do you feel that there is enough information available to specifiers regarding infection control and the products which make adhering to recommendations easier?’, the overwhelming majority answering negatively.
Most respondents (28 per cent) citied
training as the biggest overall challenge in terms of infection control, closely followed by education and awareness (25 per cent). The reason for the shortfall in training and education could be down to the uncertainty that surrounds so many aspects of water delivery infection control. Many details are still being debated -
such as the merits of thermostatic delivery hot water systems versus chemical water treatment - making it difficult to provide a detailed, centralised guidance. This raises a serious red flag because
- if specifiers do not feel they are given enough resources to properly manage infection control or sufficient information on the relevant products on the market designed to aid them in their work - this has worrying implications for the state of infection control as a whole. These results indicate that a greater
resource provision from both the government and trade bodies is needed in order meet the lack of education and awareness. Alternatively, a government/ trade body lead training and information bank could be easily supplemented by relevant continued professional development (CPD), such as Bristan’s ‘A Clinical View on Brassware Specification’ and ‘Thermostatically Speaking’ RIBA- accredited CPDs.
Brilliantly simple solutions Stakeholders that work within the sphere of infection control for water delivery have very different ideas in terms of strategies and preferences. As a result, their approach has always been to remain flexible and create products which meet both legislative and local demands. So, what are the preferred options for infection control in water delivery?
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • August 2021
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