Care homes: infection prevention and control | National Resource for Infection Control (NRIC)

Best practice, Government report

Abstract:

Information resource for care home workers about preventing and controlling infection in care homes. This information pack helps staff to protect care home residents and staff from acquiring infections and prevent cross-infection. It gives guidance on infection prevention and control, and will help care home managers to carry out risk assessments and develop policies.

Authors:

Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England

Link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-care-homes-information-resource-published

Category:

Control

Management

Prevention

Expert Review

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Summary:

Best practice guidance on the prevention and control of infection in care homes. The roles and responsibilities in relation to infection control are clarified following the formation of the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Health Protection Agency. There are sections on: -Part 1. Organisation and management: includes information/guidance on the new Code of Practice, prevention and control of infection, roles and responsibilities, monitoring and reporting of infectious diseases, surveillance of infections and communicable diseases, isolation of residents with infections, training and education, occupational health and risk assessment.Part 2. How infections are spread: includes the chain of infection, risk factors and principles of asepsisPart 3. Practical procedures: includes information/guidance on the basics of infection prevention and control such as hand hygiene, PPE, sharps, environmental cleaning, waste, decontamination, food hygiene, laundry, antimicrobial prescribing and management, pathology specimens, pests, pets, visitors and deathPart 4. General guidelines on the management of infections: includes information on isolation, diarrhoea and vomiting, respiritory infections, skin infestations, blood borne virus and antibiotic resistant bacteriaAppendices: include forms, flowcharts, colour coding of cleaning equipment, criteria for exclusion from work and list of notifiable diseases The publication updates and replaces the 1996 publication

Questions Addressed:

The aim of the document is to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to protect residents and staff from acquiring infections in care homes and provides information and guidance on requirem,ents and reccommendations to propieters and people in charge of care homes and to the Commission for Social Care Inspection on the prevention and control of infection.

Type of Study:

Best Practice

Methods Valid:

Yes

Methods Valid Detail:

The document was produced by a working group of experts in the field of infection prevention control, communicable diseases, environmental health and health protection,

Results Reliability:

Yes: working group concensus document and circulated for consultation to interested organisations and societies

Problems or Biases:

Would have been useful to have included discussion on the ethical problems of isolation of residents for care home managers and the problems surrounding private insurance, other relative's concerns etc

Relevant Studies:

Keywords:

Care homes infection prevention and control healthcare associated infection best practice guidance

Reviewer Name:

Sue Wiseman

Reviewer Post:

Nurse Consultant Department of Health (NRIC Project)

Reviewer Affiliations:

ICNA, HIS