IPC1.2012 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 and it should be used alongside relevant health and safety legislation, including national and local policies/procedures and other relevant standards. Health and social care environments contain a diversity of microorganisms. Areas can become contaminated with blood, other body fluids and dust during care delivery and can become reservoirs for microorganisms that are harmful to individuals, particularly those who are susceptible to infection. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 2

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. relevant standard infection prevention and control precautions, national legislation/guidance and local policies/procedures
2. health and safety regulations covering your area of work
3. regulations and guidance concerning hazardous substances
4. the chain of infection
5. how to access facilities for hand hygiene
6. effective techniques for maintaining hand hygiene
7. the appropriate personal protective equipment to use when cleaning, with or without disinfecting, different spillages or working in different environments
8. how to safely put on, remove and dispose of personal protective equipment
9. cleaning schedules and other occasions when cleaning, with or without disinfecting should be carried out
10. cleaning, with or without disinfecting machinery and equipment
11. how to distinguish between single-use, single-patient use, and reusable equipment and/or personal protective equipment and how to dispose, launder, clean, disinfect or store them, safely
12. the uses, dilutions, methods of application, contact time, storage, transportation and safe disposal of products used to deal with spillages
13. how to segregate different categories of waste
14. the different colour-coded bags, waste receptacles and equipment available and the correct use of each
15. your own role and responsibilities, and the responsibilities of others
16. how to complete the records required in your area of activity
17. how and when to report any issues, adverse events, accidents or incidents

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. carry out cleaning, with or without disinfection:
   1. on a routine, scheduled basis, following national and local policies/procedures
   2. when the environment is visibly dirty, or as required
   3. immediately following a spillage of blood or body fluids
   4. whenever a patient/service user is discharged or transferred from their care environment, to ensure the environment is safe to receive the next patient/service user
2. consider the potential risk of exposure of yourself and others to infectious microorganisms, before and during each activity you undertake
3. use appropriate personal protective equipment for the activity, and carry out effective hand hygiene before and after the activity
4. use cleaning and disinfection agents recommended by local and national policies and follow the manufacturers’ instructions for use
5. 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
6. ensure all areas are dust free and thoroughly cleaned, paying particular attention to
   1. those areas that are frequently touched or used
   2. all upward-facing surfaces
   3. sanitary areas
   4. areas that are hard to reach and may be overlooked in routine cleaning
7. dispose of spent or unused cleaning and disinfectant solutions safely in a designated area in accordance with local policies/procedures
8. remove and dispose of, where appropriate, personal protective equipment effectively in accordance with local policies/procedures and perform hand hygiene following removal/disposal
9. adhere to local and national policies when cleaning with or without disinfecting environments where specific infections or microorganisms are known to be present or where an adverse incident or outbreak of infection has occurred
10. report to an appropriate manager any issues arising in relation to
    1. any problems with facilities or supplies
    2. infection risks or hazards that are beyond your responsibility to handle
    3. chairs, mattresses or furnishings that are split, torn or damaged in order for them to be removed, repaired or replaced
11. complete cleaning and disinfecting records and schedules accurately and promptly as required by local policies/procedures

Additional Information

This National OccupationalStandard was developed by Skills for Health.This standard links with thefollowing dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004):Dimension: Core 3 Health, safety and security