Infection Control Policy

1. Overview

It is Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill’s policy to handle each infectious outbreak in a responsible manner in order to prevent infection spreading to other community members, and to support individuals who have infectious diseases. Each person in Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill has a duty to others, and therefore it is imperative that everyone takes infection control seriously and adheres to the procedures and guidelines in this document, to ensure that the risk of the spread of infection is minimized. In the event of an outbreak of infection a full risk assessment will be carried out.

2. What you need to know and do

Infectious illnesses must be reported to the relevant manager, who will be responsible for taking charge of the whole situation surrounding the infected person(s). When a serious illness is identified or diagnosed by a doctor (for example in the event of any member of the community suffering an ongoing case of fever, sickness or diarrhoea) the Infection Control Procedure outlined below will be adopted.

Infections can be spread by a variety of means, the most common being through the air via coughs or sneezes and via the hands. Attention should be given to all possible routes of spread of infection. Basic hygiene procedures are the most powerful weapon against the spread of infection, with particular attention being given to cleaning and hand washing.

In order to minimize the chances of an outbreak of infection, Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill asks all co-workers and residents to strictly adhere to the following hygiene procedures. These procedures should be used whenever there is the chance of cross-infection, e.g. from one person to another. These precautions will not stop cross-infection but will substantially reduce the risk of infection spreading. The procedures exist for everybody’s health, safety and well-being and therefore must be adhered to without exception.

Hands are a common vehicle of cross-infection and therefore it is essential that hands are thoroughly washed. Best practice guidelines on how to wash your hands are provided via online training as well as posters throughout the organization. Hand washing is particularly important when arriving or leaving a workshop or house, before and after meal preparation, before and after assisting people with personal hygiene as well as after going to the toilet in general as well as when dealing with an ill person. Best practice is to use either paper towels or hand dryers after hand washing. Additionally, to washing your hands, using hand sanitizers provides additional infection control.

Non-sterile latex or plastic gloves must be worn for non-invasive procedures involving touching body fluids, blood, mucus and broken skin areas. This includes dealing with any first aid procedures. After removing gloves hands should be washed.

Protective aprons should be worn only when it is likely that the co-worker’s clothes will come into contact with body fluids. After use, the apron must be disposed of in the correct receptacle. In the instance of body fluids coming into contact with clothes, these clothes should be changed and laundered separately as soon as possible.

To prevent infection and cross contamination, co-workers should be vigilant about the disposals of waste products. Gloves and protective clothing should be used when in contact with clinical waste. Dispose of waste immediately, as close to the point of use as possible into the appropriate receptacle provided. Never overfill bags/containers used for waste. Clinical waste must be put in yellow bags provided and put in appropriate bin for collection.

Please refer to the food hygiene policy for guidelines on cooking and food temperatures to reduce the risk of spreading infections.

Outbreak of Infections

In the case of an acute outbreak of infections, such as influenza, Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill will work towards prioritizing timely recognition of infectious cases. Appropriate infection control precautions include segregating co-workers into those who are dealing with infectious patients and those who are not, maintaining separation in space and/or time between infectious and non-infectious residents and co-workers. Thorough environmental cleaning and disinfection of work and living spaces are also essential.

Co-workers who have symptoms of infectious illness, including those who are beginning to experience symptoms or are recovering from the infection, should not work, so as to avoid infecting others.

If a resident displays symptoms of infection they will be sent home as soon as possible. If there is a confirmed case of an infectious illness, Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill will notify all parents, key people, relevant social work departments and Care Inspectorate. Residents showing symptoms of infection should be quarantined in their rooms.

Co-workers who are at high risk of complications of infection (e.g. pregnant women, asthmatics and elderly co-workers) should not provide care to residents who are known to be infected, and neither should they enter parts of the facility segregated for the treatment of residents with the infection.

The management team will consult relevant medical advisors such as local GP’s and the Care Commission as to which areas, if any, of the Day Service should remain open. A risk assessment will also be carried out to determine this decision and as to when the Day Service will be able to open as normal.

Once a decision is made to close Day Service all carers should be telephoned and told of this decision and the date it is assumed Day Service will open. Where possible transport should be arranged in advance of normal collection time and the site should be closed down in an orderly fashion. As residents leave, co-workers should carry out any contingency work to minimise disruption to existing activities, and also leave the site.

Residential houses will maintain a closed care service, with a minimum of external contact. Some co-worker movement may be required to maintain staffing levels, but some thought should be given to whom they may be to minimise cross-infection as outlined elsewhere.