raising public awareness - campaigning for safer standards
supporting sufferers and dependants

Telephone: 07762 741114 / 01337 841098
email: INFO@MRSAACTIONUK.NET

The Department of Health Guidance for Infection Control in Care Homes was produced in 2006 and is available here.  New guidance is being developed to help providers meet the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Infections, which sets out how the Care Quality Commission will assess compliance with the requirements set out in the Regulations made under section 20(5) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and provides guidance on how providers can meet the registration requirements relating to healthcare associated infections set out in the Regulations, effective from 1 April 2009.

 

We have pulled together practical guidance produced by the Health Protection Agency, these have been produced from around the country and although local to these regions, provide excellent up-to-date practical advice on the management and control of healthcare associated infections.

Practical guidance for the control of Clostridium difficile in care homes

 

Care Homes Policy (PDF, 619 KB)

Infection control policy for those in residential care

 

Norovirus toolkit for care homes (PDF, 1.7 MB)

A set of resources for staff in care homes.

 

Introduction to infection control in care homes

This is a series of seven short films. These are designed to provide staff with an introduction to infection control.  The web page also contains links to other resources and useful websites.

 

Blood Borne Viruses and sharps injuries: in care homes (PowerPoint Presentation, 1.3 MB)

 

Guidelines for managing outbreaks of respiratory illness in care homes (PDF, 65 KB)

 

Reference: Health Protection Agency

Understanding the New Regulation About Infection Prevention and Control Within Care Homes (PDF, 329 KB)

Ginny Storey, Head of Quality and Health Policy, Commission for Social Care Inspection

OTHER RESOURCES AND GOOD PRACTICE

 

Training and an Assessment Framework for Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections Outside of Hospital

 

The Improvement Foundation is offering an integrated programme of support to help tackle healthcare associated infections specifically in Care Homes, which will complement work already taking place locally and nationally.  A full 12-month programme is available for PCTs, Local Authorities and individual Care Homes who are ready to tackle healthcare associated infections.  Each site will identify local improvement teams which will include representative managers, nurses and other staff from each Care Home, residents, carers and relatives, local General Practitioners and community nursing teams.

 

MRSA Action UK have been presenting at the interactive workshops with opportunities to discuss patient empowerment and engagement.  The events attended have presented opportunities to discuss care pathways, multi-agency working and patient empowerment with delegates.  It has been a privilege to meet everyone involved in this programme and to see the commitment to driving down infections in the community.  For more information about the Improvement Foundation Programme download the leaflet here

GOLD CARE HOMES

 

The two top-scoring residential homes in Wolverhampton in a brand new audit on infection control standards are run separately by a mother and her daughter.

 

Margaret Simms, who runs Oaks Court at Chapel Ash and her daughter Helen Simms, who runs Bethrey House, Goldthorn Park, were among 32 care homes assessed by Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust's infection prevention team - and both scored at least 95 per cent and gold status. 

 

The PCT is among the first in the UK to introduce an annual audit of infection prevention standards in local care homes and to develop a scheme to encourage continual improvement.  

 

A total of 25 care homes - including nursing, residential, learning disability and resource centres - achieved over 80 per cent compliance with key infection prevention standards in the first audit and have been awarded a gold, silver or bronze certificate depending on their score. Each has also signed up to the PCTs Infection Prevention Charter to continually improve standards.

 

Jeanette Wilding, the PCT's director of healthcare governance and infection prevention and control, said: "We didn't realise the two managers were related until the award ceremony. There respective nursing homes both did fantastically well in the audit and are our first two gold status recipients.

 

"The aim of the programme is to improve hygiene standards year-on-year and to formally acknowledge care home staff's commitment and hard work in this area. The main reason Wolverhampton has been so successful in reducing healthcare-acquired infections is that we work together as a health economy across hospitals, health centres and other community settings such as nursing and residential care homes."

 

The audit gives care homes scores for their compliance in key categories such as hand hygiene, waste management, environment and equipment for infection prevention. These standards are in addition to and beyond any other hygiene requirements care homes have to comply with.  Visit Wolverhampton Health NHS Trust's website for more information.