Infection control
ineffective against the viral infections and illnesses prevalent in the winter months. However, there are many linked ways in which care home staff can help to ensure residents have enjoyable and infection (and antibiotic)-free lives. This requires some smart, joined-up thinking in IPC. Comprehensive, evidence-based practices that complement each other and a systemic approach involving everyone - patients, residents, staff, and visitors alike - are key. Ensuring staff and carers are up to speed on national IPC standards and guidelines is one great place to start. Another is ensuring the basics, like hand hygiene, are understood and followed. As many readers may know, the CQC
updated its IPC in care homes guidelines in June 2022. Three months later, the NHS updated its comprehensive manual for healthcare staff in all settings, including adult social and long-term care. The NHS manual (NICPM) is designed, among other things, to make it easy for care staff to apply effective precautions. It aims to establish standard practices across care settings and reduce the risk of healthcare- associated infections. It emphasises things like current knowledge and skills, up-to- date immunisations, and the importance of communication between staff, patients, relatives, and visitors. Even when staff shortages might leave
staff feeling strained, implementing strong, clear IPC policies and standards can ensure time is used more effectively and staff feel less pressed. Most carers and staff want to do the best for their patients and residents. ‘Best’ is a holistic approach, which should incorporate national guidelines. Staff need to be trained and confident in IPC standards and procedures. I also want to underscore the prime importance of good communication with family, visitors, and
residents, and ensuring a clear flow of information among all parties. Here are some of the elements I believe
are key to an effective infection prevention approach.
Hand hygiene Hand hygiene prevents infections from gaining a foothold (or handhold) in care home environments. It is the first line of defence in infection prevention by reducing the number of microorganisms on hands. All staff need to be familiar with the importance of washing hands before and after providing care to a resident or after being exposed to bodily fluids. Protective gloves should be worn for personal or intimate care. Patients and visitors should also be reminded of the need to clean their hands. Technique is important. The NHS recommends people wash their hands for as long as it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice.
Handwashing facilities Making sure there are adequate handwashing facilities and accessible sinks, wipes, soaps, and hand rubs for staff, residents, and visitors, encourages hand hygiene. Ensuring access to handwashing
stations also gives residents the dignity to help themselves, if they are able.
The right products for disinfecting skin Hand sanitisers that contain at least 60 per cent alcohol can be effective against many - but not all - pathogens, if correctly used. For nurses and care staff who need to cleanse their hands frequently, alcohol- based cleansers can dry and irritate skin. Bear in mind that they do not work for pathogens such as norovirus and C. difficile, which can take a toll on communal living environments. Soap, water, and good handwashing technique remain best practice against the spread of these types of pathogens. Handwashing also works better on visibly dirty, greasy, or heavily soiled hands. Sanitisers, however, can be a quick, convenient way to encourage hand cleansing in spaces where sinks may not be readily accessible, such as building entrances. Advancements in developing alternative products for hand hygiene are also important, especially when alcohol-based sanitisers are ineffective against some pathogens. At SpectrumX, for example, we produce Spectricept - a line of broad- spectrum, alcohol-free, non-skin-irritant disinfectants that are effective against bacterial spores, viruses, and fungi - which includes a hand rub. The active ingredient is a patent-pending, stabilised form of hypochlorous acid, a substance naturally produced by human white blood cells to fight infection. It aligns with European standards and the Royal College of Nursing’s gloves awareness campaign to reduce unnecessary use of gloves in favour of better hand hygiene.
Environmental cleansing and disinfection Proper hand hygiene is only part of the solution. Floors, tables, bins, and other hard
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