SL159-Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilisation Procedures Policy

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilisation Procedures Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish clear, comprehensive, and effective procedures for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation within {{org_field_name}}’s supported living services. A well-structured infection control and hygiene framework is essential to safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of service users, staff, and visitors.

This policy is designed in accordance with CQC Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) and Regulation 15 (Premises and Equipment), ensuring compliance with national infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines, including:

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Infection Control Standards.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance on environmental hygiene.

{{org_field_name}} is committed to minimising infection risks through systematic and thorough cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilisation protocols across all premises.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, contractors, service users, and visitors within {{org_field_name}}. It covers:

Daily, weekly, and deep cleaning procedures.
Disinfection and sterilisation of medical and non-medical equipment.
Handling of biohazardous waste and contaminated materials.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) use for cleaning activities.
Training and monitoring of staff in hygiene practices.

3. Related Policies

Infection Prevention and Control Policy (SL17)
Health and Safety at Work Policy (SL16)
Waste Management and Disposal Policy (SL22)
Hand Hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy (SL19)
Contingency Planning and Emergency Response Policy (SL25)

4. Cleaning Procedures

4.1 Daily Cleaning Routine

To ensure a consistently hygienic environment, daily cleaning includes:

Surface cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas (door handles, light switches, handrails, lift buttons, shared equipment).
Cleaning communal areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, and lounges, using designated colour-coded cleaning equipment to prevent cross-contamination.
Vacuuming and damp mopping floors with appropriate disinfectant solutions.
Waste disposal and bin sanitisation to prevent odours and bacterial growth.

All cleaning must be recorded in daily cleaning logs, and supervisors will conduct spot checks to ensure compliance.

4.2 Weekly Deep Cleaning

Furniture and soft furnishing cleaning using steam cleaning or approved upholstery disinfectants.
Cleaning air vents and extractor fans to maintain air quality and ventilation standards.
Full sanitation of kitchen appliances and work surfaces to prevent foodborne illness risks.
Shampooing carpets or replacing disposable floor mats where necessary.

4.3 Monthly and Periodic Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning of ventilation systems and filters to reduce airborne contaminants.
Wall and ceiling washing to remove dust, cobwebs, and bacterial build-up.
Full disinfection of high-traffic areas, including entryways and corridors.
Routine mattress and bedding deep-cleaning procedures to prevent infestation and contamination.

5. Disinfection Procedures

5.1 Selecting Appropriate Disinfectants

Disinfectants must be suitable for their intended use, in line with UKHSA guidance and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations. The key categories include:

Alcohol-based disinfectants (for small surfaces and equipment with rapid drying properties).
Chlorine-based solutions (for bathrooms, sinks, and surfaces with biological contamination risk).
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) (for general surface cleaning and food-safe areas).
Hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) and UV disinfection (for high-level sanitisation when necessary).

5.2 Disinfection of Medical and Non-Medical Equipment

All medical devices and reusable care equipment must be disinfected after each use. Procedures include:

Non-critical items (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, mobility aids): Wiped with alcohol-based or QAC disinfectants after use.
Semi-critical items (e.g., thermometers, bedpans): Soaked in approved disinfectant solutions before reuse.
Critical items (e.g., surgical instruments, catheters): Subject to full sterilisation (see Section 6).

5.3 Terminal Cleaning

When a service user is discharged or relocates, their room must undergo terminal cleaning, which includes:

Disinfecting all furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
Replacing bedding and deep-cleaning mattresses.
Fogging or steam disinfection if required.

6. Sterilisation Procedures

6.1 Methods of Sterilisation

Sterilisation is necessary for high-risk environments and critical care equipment. Approved methods include:

Autoclaving (Steam Sterilisation): Used for heat-resistant instruments.
Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilisation: Suitable for heat-sensitive materials.
Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma: A low-temperature sterilisation method for delicate instruments.

6.2 Handling and Storing Sterilised Items

Sterilised equipment must be stored in a clean, sealed environment to prevent contamination.
Single-use sterile packs must not be opened until point of use.
Periodic validation of sterilisation equipment must be performed to ensure effectiveness.

7. Waste Disposal and Handling of Contaminated Materials

Sharps disposal: All sharps must be disposed of in designated sharps containers.
Clinical waste disposal: Biohazardous waste must be double-bagged and handled by licensed waste disposal services.
Linen handling: Soiled linens must be placed in red laundry bags and processed separately.

8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Staff Hygiene

8.1 PPE Requirements for Cleaning Tasks

Gloves, aprons, and masks must be worn when handling cleaning chemicals or biohazardous materials.
Eye protection and respirators for high-risk cleaning tasks (e.g., chemical disinfectants, airborne contaminants).
Uniform policy: Staff must wear clean uniforms daily and follow proper hand hygiene before and after cleaning tasks.

8.2 Staff Training and Compliance

All staff must receive mandatory infection prevention training, covering:

Proper cleaning and disinfection protocols.
Correct use and disposal of PPE.
Emergency response procedures for contamination incidents.

9. Monitoring, Compliance, and CQC Alignment

9.1 Compliance Checks

Daily cleaning logs and audit reports must be maintained.
Unannounced spot checks will be conducted to ensure adherence to procedures.
Feedback from service users and staff will be regularly collected and used to improve cleaning protocols.

9.2 CQC Compliance and Reporting

This policy aligns with:

Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) – Ensuring premises are clean and fit for purpose.
Regulation 15 (Premises and Equipment) – Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in all areas.
Regulation 17 (Good Governance) – Keeping comprehensive cleaning records and audits.

10. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

Legislation or CQC regulations change.
New infection control guidance is issued.
Internal audits identify areas for improvement.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.