Minimise the risk of spreading infection by cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining environments
Overview
This standard concerns minimising the risk of spreading infection by cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining environments in health and social care settings, including community and domiciliary settings, and ambulance care settings, but not including specialised settings, such as laboratories, pharmacies, or operating theatres, where more specialised methods may be required.
Cleaning and disinfecting are the terms that are used in this standard however in some areas the term 'decontamination' is used. 'Decontamination' is an umbrella term which incorporates cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising as appropriate.
The standard focuses specifically on activities for preventing and controlling infection through dealing with the cleaning and decontamination of:
· equipment
· environment
· spillages
The standard should be used alongside relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols.
Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
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 risks in the workplace
5. confirm identity of the individual in accordance with organisational procedures
6. gain valid, informed consent from the individual in accordance with specific procedures
7. communicate with the individual and key people at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
8. respect the individual's rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs, and dignity
9. consider the potential risk of exposure of yourself and others to infectious microorganisms, before and during each activity you undertake
10. use appropriate personal protective equipment for the activity, and carry out effective hand hygiene before and after the activity
11. carry out cleaning, with or without disinfection:
· on a routine, scheduled basis, following national and organisational procedures
· when the environment is visibly dirty, or as required
· immediately following a spillage of blood or body fluids
· whenever an individual is discharged or transferred from their care environment, to ensure the environment is safe to receive the next individual/service user
12. use cleaning and disinfection agents recommended by local and national policies and follow the manufacturers' instructions for use
13. ensure your cleaning and disinfection equipment is clean, fit for purpose, appropriately colour coded, in a good state of repair, and is stored in a clean, dry, designated place
14. ensure all areas are free of dust and clutter and thoroughly cleaned, paying particular attention to:
· those areas that are frequently touched or used
· all upward-facing surfaces
· sanitary areas
· areas that are hard to reach and may be overlooked in routine cleaning
15. dispose of spent or unused cleaning and disinfectant solutions safely in a designated area in accordance with organisational procedures
16. remove and dispose of personal protective equipment effectively in accordance with organisational procedures and perform hand hygiene following removal/disposal
17. report to an appropriate person any issues arising in relation to:
· facilities or supplies
· infection risks or hazards that are beyond your responsibility to handle
· the condition of chairs, mattresses or furnishings
· equipment that has to be sent to a third party for inspection, service or repair.
18. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
19. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
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.how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual
8.the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
9.how to obtain positive confirmation of an individual's identity in accordance with organisational procedures
10.the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
11.relevant standard infection prevention and control precautions, national legislation/guidance and local policies/procedures
12.the chain of infection
13.hierarchy of controls
14.the key moments of hand hygiene
15.how approaches in clinical and social environments may differ
16.how to access facilities for hand hygiene
17.effective techniques for maintaining hand hygiene
18.the appropriate personal protective equipment to use when cleaning, with or without disinfecting, different spillages or working in different environments
19.the principles of how a detergent works
20.different categories of disinfectants
21.how to recognise if an item requires cleaning or cleaning plus disinfection
22.use and limitations of wipes (pre-impregnated with detergent and/or disinfectant) for both decontamination of surfaces and equipment.
23.importance of rinsing and drying.
24.how to safely put on, remove and dispose of personal protective equipment
25.cleaning schedules and other occasions when cleaning should be carried out
26.cleaning machinery and equipment
27.how to distinguish between single-use, single-individual use, and reusable equipment and/or personal protective equipment and how to dispose, launder, clean, disinfect, maintain and store them safely
28.the uses, dilutions, methods of application, contact time, storage, transportation and safe disposal of products used to deal with spillages
29.how to segregate different categories of waste
30.the different colour-coded bags, waste receptacles and equipment available and the correct use of each
31.items in the environment that can become contaminated and must be cleaned between use on different individuals that are being cared for.
32.how incidents/outbreaks of infection impact on the need for enhanced or additional cleaning/disinfection.
33.the needs of individuals and carers including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
34.how and when to report any issues
35.how to dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
36.how to complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements