How Clean Is Your Care Home?
All Care Home owners know that there are certain legal requirements with regards to health, safety and hygiene, but taking extra care of clients and staff above and beyond the call of duty will always be well received. The Department of Health last published Infection Control Guidelines for Care Homes in February 2010 and worryingly, they aren’t as strict as many believe they could be. The guidelines stipulate that Care Homes should produce a written policy that details the roles and responsibilities of personnel should there be an outbreak of disease or infection – and with the recent outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu virus, this is something that all care home owners should be aware of. The registered manager has the responsibility to report suspected outbreaks to their local Health Protection Unit, which may include Norovirus, Clostridium Difficile and Influenza, but there are ways of preventing these outbreaks from reaching ‘red alert’ stage.
Oliver Canty, managing director of IC Solutions 24/7 limited, knows only too well how quickly these infections can spread and the damage they can cause to not only the patients, but to a home’s reputation and the costs. “The spread of an infection such as Norovirus, which causes approximately 90% of epidemic non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis around the world, can really be quite harrowing for those affected physically, but for those who may find the blame landing with them, it can be equally as unpleasant.”
Items that are frequently used by a high number of people, harbour bacteria and viruses and can transfer microbes via direct contact. Remote controls, light switches, door handles, toilet seats, computer keyboards and chairs are notable culprits where bacteria, often starting as a single cell, can multiply into millions of cells within 10-12 hours. E.Coli, given suitable living conditions, can grow and form a voracious colony of bacteria alarmingly quickly, leading to multiple cases of vomiting and diarrhoea within hours. Keynote Speakers Announced For AHCP 2012 National Conference Oliver points out that taking extra care could be all it needs to prevent patients and staff from falling foul to infections. “General cleaning of care homes is fine, but these methods don’t combat bacteria and viruses on frequently touched and difficult to clean surfaces and that is where the problem lies. Items such as carpets, curtains, computer keyboards, light switches and TV remotes invariably have bacteria and viruses embedded in them and they need to be thoroughly disinfected to ensure the least possible chance of infection.” SaniGuard’s dry-on-contact spray can be used on all surfaces including fabrics and electronic devices.Why Barrier Washer-extractors Are Vital For Contamination Control Healthy Food For Healthy Minds One Voice From Health Leaders - 'we Urge Nhs Staff To Get Vaccinated' Spending Cuts Putting Older People's Health At Risk - New Research Reveals KI, A Leading Manufacturer And Provider Of Well Designed And Durable Furniture... Cqc Reports On The Picture Of Health And Social Care In England Hertfordshire Care Home Gets Its Paws On Award Belle Vue Lodge Opens For First Resident - Bertie Brown How A Small Machine Can Help Care Homes Reduce Their Cleaning Costs
The infection control guidelines state that curtains need only to be washed at least every six months, but these are items that are handled daily by a variety of different people and could harbour millions of bacteria. Some bacteria can thrive on curtains for up to 9 days and skin scales which can lodge in fabrics can live up to 6 months, meaning by the time the curtains are laundered they are already a hot-bed for infection. SaniGuard’s dry-on-contact Fogger can be activated in a room and will disinfect all surfaces, including fabrics, within 20 minutes, making it ideally suited to both public areas and patients’ rooms. Hand washing is the fastest and most common way to stop germs from spreading, as cleansing destroys pathogens and prevents disease from escalating out of control. As soon as someone has washed their hands and then touches a contaminated surface, the cycle will start all over again, so it’s important that the two go hand in hand. Oliver concludes that a two-pronged approach is necessary, “By coupling good hand hygiene policies with effective disinfection of frequently touched and difficult to clean surfaces, care homes can establish effective infection control.” Oliver Canty is Managing Director of IC Solutions 24/7 Limited Products can be viewed at www.SaniGuard.Org Email: Sales@ICSolutions247.com Tel: 024 767 321 51 |
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