Achieving and maintaining high standards of cleanliness is essential in health care settings. It is a statutory requirement in accordance with Health and Social Care Act 2008, IPC code of practice and related guidance. It is seen as a sign of the overall quality and safety of the care within the setting, and it contributes to a safe environment for care. People who have contact with social care should have confidence in the cleanliness and hygiene of services and services provided.
Undertaking a regular infection prevention and control audit will enable you to monitor your IPC environmental and practice (e.g., hand hygiene, PPE audits) standards as part of best practice and can be retained by your setting as part of your CQC evidence.
It is recommended that all health and social care providers undertake a self-audit documenting and reviewing improvement and it is recommended that policy compliance is audited annually. It is recommended that, for assurance purposes, an annual competency to assess the standard of staff techniques are carried out.
Recommendations for audit and monitoring compliance:
For further information:
National infection prevention and control manual
Cleaning a commode for care homes
