Personal Protective Equipment for Infection Control in Care Homes (Scotland) Policy

Aim

The aim of {{org_field_name}} is to ensure that staff, people who use services and their families, and visitors, are as safe as possible from acquiring infections because care home staff are aware of and put into practice effective systems of infection prevention and control, including those relating to personal protective equipment (PPE).

Policy Statement

This policy has been written to provide guidance for care home staff on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of its infection prevention and control systems.

The home understands the term “infection prevention and control (IPC)” to refer to a wide range of policies, procedures and techniques intended to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among staff, people who use services and communities. All of the staff working in a care home are at risk of infection or of spreading infection, especially if their role brings them into contact with blood or bodily fluids like urine, faeces, vomit or sputum. Such substances may well contain pathogens which can be spread if staff do not take adequate precautions. Infection prevention and control systems and procedures are also vital in minimising risk during outbreaks of communicable disease, or during pandemics.

Legislation and Guidance

The policy has been written to ensure compliance with the requirements of applicable legislation, guidance and best practice, including:

NHS Scotland National Infection Prevention and Control Manual NIPCM
Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (August 2023) NIPCM

{{org_field_name}} understands that the NIPCM manual should be adopted for infection prevention and control practices and procedures by all those involved in care provision. The manual is mandatory for NHS Scotland and best practice in all other care settings.

The NIPCM contains guidance on:

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)
Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs)
Healthcare Infection incidents, outbreaks and data exceedance.

The Use of Personal Protective Equipment in Infection Control

In consultation with staff and their representatives, {{org_field_name}} will:

identify, as part of its risk assessment processes, the need for any personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect staff or people who use services from infection risks and communicable diseases
ensure that PPE is employed in compliance with all relevant infection prevention and control guidance and best practice, including that produced to help control infection risks presented by the coronavirus
put in place effective procurement and quality assurance systems to ensure that adequate and sufficient stocks of appropriate PPE are obtained in a timely manner
take any necessary measures to remedy any risks found, such as low stocks, unavailability, quality concerns, etc
ensure that staff are trained to use PPE correctly and are fully informed of any risks that may remain during use
ensure that used PPE is disposed of safely and properly
reassess the use and provision of PPE, as necessary, in response to any altered risk, new guidance or work processes that have changed.

In {{org_field_name}} PPE should be used in compliance with the NHS Scotland National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), which is considered best practice in care settings.

The following Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) apply at all times.

Before undertaking any procedure staff should assess any likely exposure and ensure PPE is worn that provides adequate protection against the risks associated with the procedure or task being undertaken.
All PPE should be:
- located close to the point of use
- stored to prevent contamination in a clean/dry area until required for use (expiry dates must be adhered to)
- single-use only items unless specified by the manufacturer
- changed immediately after each person and/or following completion of a procedure or task
- disposed of after use into the correct waste stream.
Reusable PPE items, eg non-disposable goggles/face shields/visors must have a decontamination schedule with responsibility assigned.

In addition to the above SICPs, Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) should be added when caring for people with a known or suspected infection or colonisation.

Disposal of Used PPE

NICPM guidance requires that used infection prevention PPE must be disposed of after use into the correct waste stream.

During the coronavirus pandemic, where a care home has a clinical waste contract, Covid-19: Information and Guidance for Care Home Settings (Adults and Older People) requires all waste that has been used in the care of a person with Covid-19 is placed in the clinical waste and disposed of immediately.

If {{org_field_name}} does not have a clinical waste contract, staff must ensure that all waste items that have been in contact with the affected person are disposed of securely within disposable bags. When full, the plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied. These bags should be stored in a secure location for 72 hours before being put out for collection.

Responsible Personnel

______________ is the infection control lead for the organisation.
The responsibility for ordering and ensuring that supplies of masks, eye protection, gloves and aprons of sufficient quality are readily available and accessible lies with ______________.
Other infection control personnel are:
a. ______________ who is responsible for infection control risk assessment and staff training
b. ______________ who is responsible for the cleaning and hygiene of the home.

Procurement

{{org_field_name}} will make every effort to ensure that there is sufficient supply of appropriate PPE to meet the needs of staff at all times.

During the coronavirus pandemic, in cases where there is an urgent supply shortage of PPE, HPS guidance states that services that are registered with the Care Inspectorate can contact a triage centre run by NHS National Services for Scotland (NHS NSS).

The following contact details apply.

Email: support@socialcare-nhs.info
Phone helpline: 0300 303 3020 (8am–8pm 7 days a week).

Any shortage of infection prevention PPE which threatens safety and service delivery will be treated as a serious untoward incident.

Maintenance and Storage of PPE

All PPE should be stored in a safe, dry, secure place that ensures it does not become damaged, dirty or contaminated. Strict stock control practices should be in place by which out of date PPE is disposed of.

PPE should be properly maintained. Reusable PPE will be cleaned, decontaminated, repaired, replaced or modified in line with manufacturer’s instructions as required.

Where a problem arises with the use of PPE, staff must inform a responsible person immediately, ie a supervisor, line manager or {{org_field_name}} manager. The manager will take immediate steps to investigate. In all such cases, the risk assessment will be reviewed and the PPE replaced, repaired or modified.

PPE Latex Allergies

Some people can develop allergic reactions to the latex within disposable gloves. Any member of staff who suspects that they might be suffering from an allergic reaction to the latex gloves provided should stop using them immediately and inform their line manager or supervisor. They should then consult their GP.

Support

Any advice or support required on the use of PPE for infection prevention and control, particularly during outbreaks of infectious disease such as the coronavirus pandemic, should be obtained from the local Health Protection Team.

Contact details: _____________________________

Infection Control Training

Staff should be trained on putting on and taking off PPE. Videos are available online for training. Staff should know what PPE they should wear for each work context and what is meant by sessional and extended use.

All new staff should be required to read this policy, and other infection control and health and safety policies, as part of their induction process. All new care staff will be trained in the effective use of PPE at the point of care as part of their induction infection control training.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next review date: this policy is reviewed annually (every 12 months). When needed, this policy is also updated in response to changes in legislation, regulation, best practices, or organisational changes.

SCH177. Personal Protective Equipment for Infection Control in Care Homes