IPC guidance
Infection prevention guidance: a reality check
Richard Newton, principal of independent care home consultancy Opeque, reflects on recent government guidance on infection prevention and control
The new government guidance for care homes published in April 20221
is really
no different in principle to the 2013 Department of Health document, but the content is re-packaged and provides far greater emphasis and instruction on the need to control and reduce the risks posed by infections as well as giving guidance on how to achieve compliance. This guidance, which sets out general
infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with advice and guidance on managing specific infections, is for those responsible for setting and maintaining standards of IPC within adult social care in England. ‘Adult social care’ is a broad term covering a wide range of activities which help people who are older, living with disability or physical or mental illness, or people with a learning disability, to live independently and stay well and safe. Preventing and reducing the
transmission of infectious diseases is essential to ensuring people stay healthy. People who have contact with social care should have confidence in the cleanliness and hygiene of services and services provided. Not all the contents of this guidance will be applicable to every situation or type of care and support. The term ‘pathogen’ is used throughout the guidance document to describe micro- organisms or germs which can infect people and cause disease. IPC practices should be based on person-centred care and the best available evidence and guidance. This document does not replace any clinical or public health advice. The information within it draws upon several sources including the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence
September 2022
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
(NICE), NHS, government departments, and professional regulators. Providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) must comply with the regulations and consider the Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections in the delivery of their services.
A risk-based approach The guidance follows a risk-based approach, whereby the physical elements of the workings of a care home are assessed for their potential to generate, harbour, or transmit infections. The key elements are: n Hand hygiene. n Respiratory and cough hygiene. n PPE. n Safe management of care equipment. n Safe management of the environment.
Preventing and reducing the transmission of infectious diseases is essential to ensuring people stay healthy
n Management of laundry. n Management of blood and body fluid spills.
n Waste management. n Management of exposure.
For each of these elements, there are clear definitions and advice given to enable the correct controls to be implemented; however, the need for external support and training in these measures is crucial to passing the CQC audit. The CQC have responded accordingly
and have recently launched their eight- point ‘information gathering tool’2
to
identify the key areas that they will address to measure performance. There are, however, significant gaps in both the government guidance and the CQC tool. Therefore, specific guidance is essential. It is common for companies who are bound by regulation and legislation to seek professional external assistance. The motto for consulting and service industries is: We allow you to undertake your core business whilst we look after your chore business.
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