Infection Prevention and Control Auditing For Care Homes

Infection Prevention and Control Auditing For Care Homes

Session Outline • What is Audit • The audit cycle • Make a difference through audit and monitoring

What is Audit? • Audit is about measuring practice against an agreed standard such as a policy • Then using information to promote good practice and make changes • It shows if policies and good practice are being followed • It can highlight areas that need to be adapted or changed to improve practice

The Audit Cycle Observe Practice Set standards Identify Change Re-Audit Implement Change

Action Plans • There is no point in auditing if you don’t action what you find • Have short, medium and long term actions as necessary • Have a responsible person for the action • Discuss actions at team meetings • This is everyone's business

Making a Difference • Get your colleagues involved • Tell them why auditing is important and the reasons for audit / checking practice • Share results with all staff as soon as possible • Remember there should be a “no blame” culture • This allows everyone to feel safe reporting issues or concerns • Don’t give up, show your colleagues how things can improve and how they have helped

What Should We Audit? • • • Hand hygiene Cleanliness Equipment cleaning and use Use of PPE Staff knowledge of IPC Commodes/seat raisers and other shared equipment • Laundry facilities and processes

Why auditing is important • Maintain safety for clients, staff and visitors • Maintain good/high standards • Root out poor standards so they can be changed • The CQC will be visiting at some point……………

CQC reports Wheelchairs used by residents were dirty and soiled especially under cushions Moving and Handling equipment: • There was one full sling and one toileting sling for use between three people. • This posed a risk of cross contamination and availability issues when they were in the laundry.

CQC reports cont. • Inspectors found that the floors and furnishings were soiled and dirty, the sofa was heavily soiled and a chair had mould growing on the arm. Mattresses were dirty. • The home was not clean on the day of the inspection. Carpets were stained, and cobwebs were seen in bedroom corners. The home smelt of urine throughout the day of the inspection

CQC reports cont. • When people's appearances were observed, inspectors saw that some residents were wearing clothing that was soiled with food and some people had dirty fingernails. • Staff left a discarded catheter night bag in the corner of a bedroom all day until 6 pm. • A person's catheter bag was not anchored to their leg properly and was touching the floor,

CQC reports cont. • Several medication creams were not labelled and were being used on multiple people meaning the risk of cross-contamination was high. • Staff were observed not following good practice guidelines for infection prevention and control and failed to change gloves in between completing different tasks for people. For example, a member of staff completed three different tasks for different people in a short space of time whilst wearing the same gloves.

Health and Social Care Act

Criterio n What the Registered Provider will need to demonstrate 1 Systems to monitor and manage IPC, risk assessment 2 Provide and maintain a clean and appropriate environment in managed premises that facilitate IPC 3 Ensure appropriate antimicrobial use to optimise patient outcomes and to reduce the risk of adverse events and antimicrobial resistance 4 Provide suitable and accurate information on infections to service users, their families and any person providing on-going care/support 5 Prompt identification and appropriate treatment of those who develop infections. Care to reduce the risk of spread. 6 All HCW who provide care should be fully aware of and involved in the process of IPC and their responsibilities 7 Provide secure isolation facilities 8 Secure, adequate access to laboratory support 9 Have policies in place to help prevent and control infections 10 Providers have a system in place to manage the occupational health needs and obligations of staff in relation to infection