Infection prevention and control policy

(This policy is subject to change as guidance is updated from Legislation and Public Health advice)

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a practical evidence based approach which prevents patients and healthcare workers from being harmed by avoidable infection. People and Colleagues have the right to live and work in an environment which is clean, pleasant, hygienic, and free from risk of infection.

Chain of infection

In order for infection to occur several things have to happen. This is often referred to as the Chain of Infection. The six links in the chain are:

The Infectious Agent or the microorganism which has the ability to cause disease.
The Reservoir or source of infection where the microorganism can live and thrive. This may be a person, an animal, any object in the general environment, food or water.
The Portal of Exit from the reservoir. This describes the way the microorganism leaves the reservoir. For example, in the case of a person with flu, this would include coughing and sneezing. In the case of someone with gastro-enteritis microorganisms would be transmitted in the faeces or vomit.
The Mode of Transmission. This describes how microorganisms are transmitted from one person or place to another. This could be via someone’s hands, on an object, through the air or bodily fluid contact.
The Portal of Entry. This is how the infection enters another individual. This could be landing on a mucous membrane, being breathed in, entering via a wound, or a tube such as a catheter.
The Susceptible Host. This describes the person who is vulnerable to infection.

Infection can be prevented by breaking the Chain of Infection.

Implementation of this policy into clinical practice and will enhance resident safety and reduce the risk of residents and visitors acquiring or spreading an Infection; staff will also reduce their risk of developing infection whilst delivering care.

This policy will provide guidance on agency nurses carrying out a shift with Direct Medics Ltd and staff must also make themselves aware of the most current guidance available, including the Client’s own policies and procedures relating to the prevention and managements of “Infection prevention and control” and awareness if policies procedures and guidelines laid out in the Northern Ireland Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual.

PHA Infection Control | (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Direct Medics policy considers in line with Standard Infection Control Precautions with Infection Control Standards, as we do not know who may have an infectious disease; we should therefore treat everyone the same.

Infection control is the name given to a wide range of policies, procedures and techniques intended to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICP’s) are designed to prevent cross transmission from recognised and unrecognised sources of infection. All resident care that involves the management of

blood or bodily fluids should be performed using appropriate Personal protective equipment as laid out in the guidance within the policy of Direct Medics and the Client. Sources of (potential) infection include blood and other body fluids secretions or excretions (excluding sweat), non-intact skin or mucous membranes and any equipment or items in the care environment which are likely to become contaminated. They are necessary to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and agency nurse who visit the environment. Bodily fluids and blood from a resident should be considered potentially hazardous.

SICP’s must be implemented at all times. The application of SICP’s during delivery of care is determined by:

The level of interaction between the Nurse and the resident

The anticipated level of exposure to blood and or body fluids

Training:

Direct Medics Ltd require that all agency workers should:

At all times, observe high standards of hygiene to protect themselves and their service users from the unnecessary spread of infection. Adhere to our clothing guidance and use disposable gloves and disposable aprons which are provided by clients for workers at risk of coming into direct contact with body fluids or who are performing personal care tasks.
All agency staff receive infection prevention and control (IPC) induction which includes the standard precautions for minimising infection.
Infection Prevention and Control mandatory training is undertaken annually.
Attend training on infection control when organised by the agency.

Healthier Business Group (hbcompliance.co.uk)

Direct Medics Ltd Nurses providing care must:

Show their understanding by applying the infection prevention and control principles in this policy and that of the placement.
Maintain competence, skills and knowledge in infection prevention and control by attending/completing training provided.
Communicate the infection prevention and control practices to be carried out by those being cared for, relatives and visitors, without breaching confidentiality.
Have up-to-date occupational immunisations, health checks and clearance requirements as appropriate
Report to line managers and document any deficits in knowledge, resources, equipment and facilities or incidents that may result in transmitting infection including near misses, eg PPE failures.
Do not take shifts or provide care while at risk of transmitting infectious agents to others and notify line manager and agency nurse manager if there is a suspected or actual HAI incident/outbreak.

Infection prevention and control is everyone’s business, and for everyone involved in the planning and delivery of healthcare. Visitors to Client locations and patients themselves have their part to play in keeping infections at bay.

All workers are expected to be conversant with the content of the manual and apply its principles throughout the course of their work. All workers should follow the guidance directed by the Client in their Housekeeping Policies.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICP): SICPs are core measures that should be used at all times, in all care settings, by all staff. They are based upon the assumption that every individual could be carrying potentially harmful microorganisms and that there is the potential for transmission.

All workers are required to be familiar with Standard Infection Prevention Standards and all updates, by referring to:

https://www.niinfectioncontrolmanual.net/

Basic Principles | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Hand hygiene | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Standard precautions | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Transmission based precautions | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Isolation of patients | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Personal protective equipment | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

ANTT | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Laundry | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Cleaning & disinfection | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Outbreak Management | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Waste Management | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

Hierarchy of controls | PHA Infection Control (niinfectioncontrolmanual.net)

COVID-19 - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) outbreak

Continued attention to safety measures in relation to the pandemic are essential for everyone. This includes hand hygiene, PPE as appropriate, ensuring good airflow (as far as reasonably comfortable), and rigorous cleaning of surfaces before and after visits.

Visitors must be informed of and adhere to IPC measures in place, including FRSM, hand hygiene, physical distancing and not attending with COVID-19 symptoms or before a period of self-isolation has ended, whether identified as a case of COVID-19 or as a contact.

Direct Medics Ltd will ensure that visitors and Health Professionals follow Client policies and procedures.

Application to the agency register for staff requires the declaration of any communicable diseases. Good practice requires that staff also disclose any subsequent contraction of, or exposure to, such disease using the company’s occupational health review form. Having an infectious disease will not be grounds for refusal or termination of assignments but may make agency staff temporarily unsuitable for certain assignments through the Company or restrict the types of work to which they may be assigned, both in their own interest and that of clients/patients.

It is the responsibility of agency staff to take adequate precautions to protect themselves from communicable diseases. If unsure of the appropriate steps to be taken, agency staff should discuss the assignment with the immediate Line Manager at the assignment location. All information regarding a Client’s condition or circumstances will be treated as confidential.

To avoid risks of cross infection, it is essential that all incidents that may result in the spreading of a disease be reported. Incidents in a Client site should be reported in accordance with the policies of that institution.

All incidents should also be reported to our Nursing Manager who will give advice on any appropriate further action.