Infection Prevention and Control Policy

Introduction and Scope

The aim of Cavendish Homecare Professionals is to ensure that all clients, visitors and staff are protected by having in place a system of accident reporting so that accidents can be properly investigated, and preventative action taken to ensure that they are not repeated.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to prevent and control the transmission of infection, ensuring a safe environment for clients and the protection of all Domiciliary Care Staff.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff while carrying out duties, including when visiting a client’s home, the Cavendish Homecare office, or attending training.

Key Principles

All care activities must adhere to the Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) at all times, regardless of the client’s known infection status.

Roles and Responsibilities

Registered Manager

• Has overall legal responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of this policy.
• Ensures adequate resources (PPE, hand hygiene products, training) are available.

Infection Control Lead (ICL) and Compliance Manager

• Provides expert advice and guidance to staff.
• Coordinates mandatory IPC training and updates.
• Conducts regular audits of IPC compliance and practices.

All Staff Members

• Are responsible for adhering to all aspects of this policy and related procedures.
• Must attend all mandatory IPC training.
• Must immediately report any infectious illness, symptoms, or IPC breaches to the Registered Manager/ICL.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)

The following procedures must be followed for all clients during all care visits.

Hand Hygiene

Staff must perform hand hygiene using soap and running water (for visibly soiled hands) or alcohol-based hand rub (for non-visibly soiled hands) at the following “5 Moments”:

1. Before touching a client.
2. Before a clean/aseptic procedure e.g., wound dressing preparation.
3. After body fluid exposure risk e.g., changing continence pads.
4. After touching a client.
5. After touching a client’s surroundings e.g., bed rails, commodes.

Procedure

• Ensure sleeves are pushed up.
• Remove all wrist and hand jewellery except plain wedding bands which are permitted.
• Ensure fingernails are clean, short, and polish-free.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE must be selected based on a risk assessment of the task to be performed and the anticipated level of exposure to blood or body fluids.

Donning and Doffing:

1. Donning (Putting on): Apron then Mask or Eye Protection then Gloves.
2. Doffing (Taking off): Gloves then Apron then Eye Protection then Mask.
3. Crucially: Hand hygiene must be performed immediately after removing gloves and again after removing all other PPE. All disposable PPE must be placed in the client’s household waste immediately after doffing.

Safe Management of Care Equipment

Staff must:

• Use single-use items such as wipes and disposable towels wherever possible.
• Clean reusable care equipment e.g., commodes, shower chairs, lifting slings, with a compatible detergent or disinfectant, wiping immediately after use.
• Ensure that any equipment that breaks or appears damaged is immediately taken out of use and reported.

Management of Waste and Sharps in Private Homes

General Waste

General, non-infectious waste must be placed in the client’s designated household waste bin or bags.

Infectious Clinical Waste

• Staff must identify if the client has an arrangement for the disposal of clinical waste such as dressings.
• If infectious waste requires specialised disposal e.g. segregated yellow bags, staff must follow the specific pre-arranged procedure agreed upon with the client, the local authority, or the clinical waste contractor.
• Under no circumstances must infectious clinical waste be transported by Domiciliary Care Staff in their private vehicles.

Sharps Management

• Sharps such as needles and syringes must only be disposed of in a puncture-proof sharps container.
• Staff must never attempt to recap, bend, or break a used needle.
• Care Staff must not transport sharps containers. Disposal is the responsibility of the clinician who created the sharp (e.g., District Nurse, GP). If a sharp is found, staff must secure the area and immediately report it to the Registered Manager.

Management of Infectious Outbreaks and Symptoms

Staff Illness

• Staff who feel unwell must not attend work.
• If a staff member is experiencing symptoms of an infectious illness, e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea or a high fever, they must immediately inform the Registered Manager and follow the organisational sickness policy regarding return to work clearance.

Client Illness

• If a client displays signs of an acute infectious illness such as Norovirus, Scabies, a new unexplained rash, or respiratory symptoms, the attending staff member must immediately contact the Registered Manager/ICL for advice.
• Care provision will continue where necessary, but with enhanced IPC measures (e.g., increased frequency of cleaning, dedicated PPE usage, and minimising time spent in the home where appropriate).
• The Manager will liaise with the Service User’s GP or the local Health Protection Team if required.

Training

All staff must complete mandatory IPC training upon induction and at least annually thereafter. This training includes hand hygiene techniques as detailed here.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are significant changes in legislation and national guidance from NICE, the Department of Health or the NHS.

Date: October 2025

Version: 1 (Implementation)

Source: NICE, the Department of Health and the NHS