CC34 - Infection Control Policy and Procedure

COVID 19 Hub - Health and Safety COVID-19

 

Summary

Infection control is an important aspect in the delivery of safe care. This policy has been reviewed following the release of principles to control Monkeypox in the UK. A new section (5.19) has been added as well as a new reference. Additional wording has also been included in Section 5.10 around fomite transmission. A new definition has been added and other minor wording changes made throughout to ensure the policy remains current. References have been updated and any withdrawn ones have been removed.

 

Staying Safe at Home

The wellbeing of our clients and staff is our absolute priority. You can be assured that health and safety of all, including implementing/adhering fully to our infection control policies and procedures is paramount. COVID-19 presents one of the nationals most serious difficulties as of late. We comprehend this is an incredibly stressing time for each person, not least for the more seasoned and increasingly defenseless community and their friends and family.

 

Relevant legislation:

1.   The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare Regulations) 2013

2.   Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (as amended)

3.  The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections and Related Guidance

4.  The Care Act 2014

5.   Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

6.  Food Safety Act 1990

7.   The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013

8.   The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005

9.   The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

10.   Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

11.  Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

12.   Mental Capacity Act 2005

13.  The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002

14.  Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

15.  Coronavirus Act 2020

16.  Health and Care Act 2022

 

 

Policy

4.1  Acer Healthcare Limited recognises its responsibilities and clearly communicates the safe working practices required for infection prevention and control to all staff.

Acer Healthcare Limited is committed to minimising the risk of infection to staff and Service Users by ensuring good standards of basic hygiene and applying universal infection control procedures.

4.2  Acer Healthcare Limited achieves this through a robust risk assessment process, implementation of effective controls and the provision of appropriate training and equipment to all staff.

It will ensure that all staff understand the importance of good hand hygiene, how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to effectively follow the COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy and Procedre at Acer Healthcare Limited.

4.3  Acer Healthcare Limited takes its responsibilities seriously in relation to blood-borne viruses, the safer use of sharps and the safe disposal of waste. It will make sure that risks are identified and that measures to control or prevent these risks are clearly documented and cascaded to all staff, Service Users and key stakeholders.

4.4  An Infection Prevention Lead (IPL) will be identified within Acer Healthcare Limited. The IPL, in line with the Health and Social Care Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance (2015) and the new National Infection prevention and control guidance 2022, will:

l  Be responsible for infection prevention (including cleanliness) management at Acer Healthcare Limited

l  Oversee local prevention of infection policies and their implementation

l  Report directly to Acer Healthcare Ltd

l  Have the authority to challenge inappropriate practice

l  Have the authority to set and challenge standards of cleanliness

l  Assess the impact of all existing and new policies on infection and make recommendations for change

l  Be an integral member of the governance and safety teams and structures where they exist at Acer Healthcare Limited

l  Produce an annual statement with regard to compliance with practice on infection prevention and cleanliness and make it available on request

l  Ensure that there is evidence of appropriate action taken to prevent and manage infection

l  Undertake an audit programme to ensure that appropriate policies have been developed and implemented

l  Provide evidence that the annual statement from the Infection Prevention Lead has been reviewed and, where indicated, acted upon

l  In accordance with health and safety requirements, where suitable and sufficient assessment of risks requires action to be taken, evidence should be available on the implementation of effective controls and compliance with the applicable regulations

4.5  Acer Healthcare Limited will ensure that all staff understand the importance of good hand hygiene and how to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Staff can refer to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy and Procedure for further information.

 

Further Reading

 

As well as the information in the 'underpinning knowledge' section of the review sheet we recommend that you add to your understanding in this policy area by considering the following materials:

SCIE - Infection Control during COVID-19:

https://www.scie.org.uk/care-providers/coronavirus-covid-19/infection-control

The UK Sepsis Trust - How to recognise Sepsis - A Checklist for Community Care Staff:

https://sepsistrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Community-carers-NICE-Final-2.pdf

WHO - 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene:

https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/integrated-health-services-(ihs)/infection-prevention-and- control/your-5-moments-for-hand-hygiene-poster.pdf?sfvrsn=83e2fb0e_11

RCN - First Steps - Sepsis:

https://rcni.com/hosted-content/rcn/first-steps/sepsis WHO - Hand Hygiene: https://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/

The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures Chapter 4 10th Edition

UKHSA Infectious Diseases: detailed information:

https://www.gov.uk/topic/health-protection/infectious-diseases

This infection control policy should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies at Acer Healthcare Limited:

l  Health and Safety Policy and Procedure

l  Clinical Waste Disposal Policy and Procedure

l  Blood Spillage Policy and Procedure

l  Risk Assessment Policy and Procedure

l  Sharps and Needlestick Policy and Procedure

l  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy and Procedure

l  Food Hygiene Policy and Procedure