Describe how the management of the environment minimises the spread of infection
The fragile health condition of patients and the vulnerability of healthcare users implies that health professionals must have a thorough understanding as to how to manage a clean environment to minimise disease transmission. By adopting the disinfection guidelines and measures, they can help to create a healthy environment. A decent healthcare atmosphere helps to avoid health-related infections. In clinics and hospitals, cleaning helps to eliminate visible dust and dirt, decreasing concentrations of dangerous pathogens in the surroundings of patients. Dust comprises micro-organisms and skin scales which, when swept or dry dusted disperses through the environment.
The general goal of environmental cleaning is to remove micro-organisms and dirt that could increase infection risk. Correct environmental cleaning eliminates depositions of dust, soil and liquid contaminants and thus reduces the risk of infection. Therefore, it becomes critical to train all personnel for proper cleaning. Cleaning schedules ensure efficiency in cleaning and supervision. These schedules are recorded and tracked, and therefore reduces contamination due to the optimised and timed daily scheduled cleaning. Use of the cleaning routines is essential for environmental hygiene management.
Further, providing the required cleaning equipment is necessary for correct cleaning. Proper management and cleaning of the environment using the required equipment help minimise an outbreak of an infection, i.e. MRSA. All staff members should be educated in all aspects of infection prevention and waste management practices to prevent the spread of disease in the workplace.
Explain the reasons for the national policy for colour coding of cleaning equipment
The standards and guidelines outlined within the national policy extend to all aspects of infection control, including the correct use of cleaning equipment. In compliance with the national policy, every cleaning equipment has to be colour coded to indicate the proper use of the equipment. Along with ensuring appropriate use, it also provides for the achievement of better cleaning results. The main explanation underlying colour coding is avoidance cross-contamination. Without cross-contamination, the risk of spreading infection significantly reduces. According to the national policy, cleaning materials and equipment such as buckets, mops, aprons colour codes are as follows:
RED: Equipment used to clean bathrooms, washrooms, showers, toilets, basins and bathroom floors
BLUE: This is equipment for general areas including wards, departments, offices and basins in public areas
GREEN: Equipment used to clean catering departments, ward kitchen areas and patient food service at ward level
YELLOW: Equipment and materials used to clean isolation areas.
The colour codes serve to prevent dispersion of pathogens from one area to another. Therefore healthcare staff members must know the colour code on the indicated in equipment and its correct cleaning area(s).
Describe the safe storage requirements for cleaning agents and equipment
Safe storage of cleaning agents and equipment involves adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions, along with attention to health and safety measures. Importantly, thorough cleaning of equipment and materials before storage. Cleaning limits bacterial growth and further contamination. Additionally, for safety purposes, correct storage is equally essential. It reduces the risk of a person tripping and falling over a piece of equipment. Besides, the machine may contain chemical hazards. Regulations provided in the COSHH guides on the proper storage of chemicals.
Additionally, cleaning agents kept in the right places under suitable conditions. It is always necessary to keep the cleaning agents in clean, neat and dry places. The area should be free from dirt, extreme temperatures and less moist. Also, cleaning agents storage in their original containers. If the agent mix with other agents, a new labelled container should be used to avoid any mix-up. Some cleaning agents are known to cause severe issues if mixed. Safe storage of cleaning agents also involves keeping the agents far from the reach of unauthorised personnel, including pets and children.
Describe safe working procedures that help to minimise the spread of infection when handling contaminated and soiled laundry
Soiled and contaminated linen are the significant agents of dispersal of disease-causing pathogens within the healthcare sector. For healthcare staff working in various facilities, contamination can happen in multiple ways, including coming into contact with towels, bedsheets, and other linen. Also, contaminated laundry includes all clothing either worn by a person with an infectious disease or fouled by the patient. Since infections can spread through air, food or contact, adherence to right procedures to minimises the risk of spreading disease when handling contaminated or soiled laundry.
There are two key things to consider when it comes to proper handling of contaminated linen. First, staff members are at high risk of coming into contact with bacteria when handling contaminated linen. Secondly, the healthcare setting hosts a vulnerable population, including older adults and fragile patients. Thus, enforcing working procedures to control infections in nursing homes is necessary.
The safest way to mitigate the risk of disease at the workplace is to limit the amount of contact between workers, and clean linen-as people and animals are where bacteria and viruses originate. The new guidelines recommend handling clean laundry for the least times possible, not more than four times. It is vital that those who work in the healthcare facility ensure that all linens remain sterile at every point of their journey–from the collection, cleaning and storage. This process involves using the right protective garments, including disposable gloves and aprons, to reduce the susceptibility to probably infectious micro-organisms while handling contaminated laundry.
Explain the concept of risk in dealing with specific types of contamination
Before any sterilisation, disinfection, or cleaning each equipment, laundry or area needs thorough assessing. The risk associated with each item or space can be high, medium risk, or low risk. High-risk contamination is associated with equipment utilised in invasive medical practices. Medium risk contamination usually comes from urinals, commodes and bedpans. Low-risk contamination, on the other hand, could come from furniture, mobility aids and floors. Once the type of contamination has been identified and the associated risk determined, suitable decontamination process follows. For instance, high-risk contamination associated with needles will require sterilisation.
A specific type of contamination determines the decontamination agent to use. Once the assessment and evaluation of a particular level of risk are complete, different agents are used to cleaning the item or area. For instance, if the risk level is low, then water and detergents are suitable agents. For medium contamination level, disinfectants are the appropriate agents. High risk, on the other hand, often requires sterilisation for effective decontamination.