Infection control
various situations where individuals, including care workers, residents, and visitors, might pose a risk of infection to others. Here are some situations where this may happen: n Symptomatic infections – individuals who are symptomatic and have an infectious disease may easily transmit this to others, such diseases include symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or diarrhoea. Proper isolation and precautions should be taken for these individuals.
n Improper hand hygiene – failure to practice good hand hygiene can lead to the spread of infections, from not only health and care workers but visitors and patients, too.
n Contaminated PPE – PPE which is not properly worn, used, or disposed of can spread infections.
n Improper respiratory hygiene – Coughing or sneezing without covering one’s mouth and nose can release infectious respiratory droplets into the air, potentially infecting others. Healthcare workers and patients should be educated on proper respiratory hygiene.
What is your responsibility? All employees within a care setting should be able to demonstrate the organisation’s responsibilities as well as their own in terms of current infection prevention and control legislation. Managers and employers should ensure that staff are: n Aware and have access to NHS England – National Infection Prevention and Control guidance, including the measures required to protect themselves and their employees from infection risk.
n Have had education on infection prevention and control through events or training.
n Have adequate support and resources to implement, monitor and take corrective action as well as undertake risk assessments for all and staff with individual needs.
n Those who have had an occupational exposure are referred promptly to the relevant agency, such as a GP, occupational health or accident and emergency, and understand immediate actions, such as first aid, following an occupational exposure, including the process for reporting.
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Staff providing patient care at a minimum must: n Show their understanding by applying IPC principles.
n Maintain competence, skills and knowledge in infection prevention and control by attending educational events and/or completing training.
n Communicate IPC practices to be carried out by colleagues, those being cared for, relatives and visitors, without breaching confidentiality.
n Have up-to-date occupational immunisations, health checks, and clearance requirements as appropriate.
n Report to line managers, document, and action any deficits in knowledge, resources, equipment, and facilities or incidents that may result in transmitting infection including near misses, such as PPE failures.
IPC measures are of vital importance across all care settings due to the vulnerability of not only residents, but their visitors too. Residents often have weakened immune systems, chronic health conditions, or the reduced ability to fight off infections, therefore effective IPC measures and the use of PPE help to safeguard the health and wellbeing of residents.
By minimising the risk of infectious diseases spreading within care home environments, staff not only protect the lives of those in our care, but also promote a higher quality of life and peace of mind for residents, their families, and their colleagues. All staff have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.
What training do care home staff need? In line with the CQC’s requirements, care home staff should at receive mandatory training at least on:
n Health and safety. n Food hygiene. n Moving and handling. n Safeguarding adults. n Basic life support. n Infection control . n Emergency first aid at work n Fire safety n The Mental Capacity Act.
This may be subject to requirement on the organisation; however, it is paramount that alongside adhering to their organisation’s policies and procedures and SCIPs within the care environment, staff also receive ongoing education and training within their roles to remain up to date with their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and remain compliant to carry out their role appropriately and effectively.
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Caitlin Wood
Caitlin Wood is a marketing assistant for the eLearning and management solutions provider, Blue Stream Academy. Since joining the team in 2021, she has taken a keen interest in creating and developing a range of articles around our eLearning modules. Caitlin can often be found preparing for and attending events around the UK.
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com March 2024
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