Infection control
Championing health through infection control and prevention
Care providers need to take a proactive role in promoting best practices and equipping health and care workers with the latest guidelines and insights to infection prevention and control. Here, Blue Stream Academy’s Caitlin Wood discusses strategies to ensure that staff are well-trained to uphold crucial standards
One of the most crucial topics of education for health and care staff is infection prevention and control (IPC). Paramount in health and care training as it safeguards patients, visitors, and healthcare providers, IPC is indispensable in the training of care and health care professionals, as it equips them with the essential knowledge and skills needed to safeguard patients’ wellbeing, prevent the spread of infections, and maintain a high standard of care quality. IPC is not just about following procedures – it is about saving lives. Efficient training helps staff understand and implement the best practices for preventing the spread of infections in health and care settings and aims to reduce the risk of healthcare- associated infections (HCAI), maintain a healthy work environment, and contribute
to overall public health by preventing the transmission of infections within the community. By covering proper hygiene practices and Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs), the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and strategies to minimise the risk of transmitting HCAIs, I would like to explore the significance of IPC in care settings and delve into strategies to ensure staff are well-trained to uphold these crucial standards.
An insight into HCAIs HCAIs are infections that develop either as a direct result of healthcare interventions such as medical treatment, or from being in contact with care and health settings. The term ‘HCAI’ is very broad and covers a
wide range of infections, from Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridioides difficile – which often impacts the elderly or those with weakened immune systems – as well as Norovirus outbreaks, too. Most healthcare treatments are
uneventful, and the patient makes a full recovery; however, some people may develop a HCAI during their care and treatment.
How do we avoid HCAIs? Preventing HCAIs requires a combination of infection control practices, proper hygiene, and adherence to guidelines. This is where SICPs come in.
SICPs shouls be used by all staff, in all care settings, at all times, for all service users, whether infection is known to be present or not, to ensure the safety of those being cared for, staff, and visitors in the care environment. SICPs are the basic IPCs necessary to reduce the risk of transmitting infectious agents from recognised and unrecognised infection sources. Sources of potential infection include blood and other bodily fluids, secretions, or excretions (excluding sweat), non- intact skin or mucous membranes, and any equipment or items in the care environment that could have been contaminated.
SICPs implementation monitoring must also be ongoing to ensure compliance with safe practices and to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to service users, staff and visitor safety as required by the Health and Safety Executive and the CQC.
The Elements of Standard Infection Control Precautions (SCIPs) So, what are typical SCIPs used within health and care settings?
Depending on which care or health 36
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com March 2024
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