Prepare and dress for work in healthcare settings

This standard covers the control of cross-infection by correctly preparing and dressing appropriately for work in healthcare areas.  This includes effective handwashing and cleansing.

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1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. remove personal clothing and fashion items that should not be worn in the workplace and store them in an appropriate safe place
6. check that all PPE is clean, in a good state of repair and fits comfortably
7. select and wear the correct PPE for your role and the procedure you are undertaking in line with organisational policy
8. where required, cover any cuts and grazes securely with an appropriate dressing
9. maintain a clean, neat and tidy appearance at all times
10. change your PPE as soon as practicably possible if it becomes unsuitable for use
11. remove your PPE safely in a way that minimises the risk of cross-infection and put it in the appropriate place for re-processing or disposal
    
12. report any shortfalls in PPE stocks promptly to the appropriate person
13. prevent contamination of PPE by only wearing it in the designated working area, and changing into personal clothing when you finish work
14. wear additional PPE when there is an identified additional risk in accordance with organisational procedures
15. wash and dry your hands effectively, or use an appropriate alcoholic skin decontamination fluid in accordance with organisational procedures
16. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
17. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. the importance of maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times
8. the personal (outdoor) clothing and other personal fashion items that should be removed for work in a clinical/controlled environment, and the reasons for this
9. the causes of infection and cross-infection
10. the application of standard precautions for infection control and other relevant health and safety issues
11. organisational policy on the use of makeup or the wearing of jewellery and covering facial and head hair where this is required

12. protective clothing and:

    • the reasons why particular materials are used for PPE clothing
    • the types of protective clothing available, and their suitability in different situations
    • the reasons why PPE clothing must be clean and undamaged when being worn
      

13. how the correct use of PPE clothing contributes to infection control and how this links to standard precautions

14. the importance of wearing PPE clothing which is comfortable
15. the reasons why PPE clothing should not be worn outside the designated working area
16. the circumstances in which additional PPE is needed
17. the types of additional PPE available
18. the suitability of different types of additional PPE for different situations
19. the importance of wearing adequate and appropriate additional PPE
20. where and how to dispose of used, dirty and damaged clothing (both re-usable and single-use)
21. the importance of effective hand washing
22. the importance of washing and maintain uniform/workwear at home to prevent cross-infection
23. methods and techniques for cleaning hands and other areas of skin, and the times at which skin cleaning is necessary
24. procedures for reporting problems with PPE clothing and additional PPE
25. how to dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
26. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
    

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2

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2026

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHGEN2

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Health and Social Care, Health and Social Services Officers, Health Associate Professionals, Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

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2259

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Prepare, dress, work, PPE, healthcare

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