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ICP1RAPrevControlOfHCAI Ratified PDF
ICP1RAPrevControlOfHCAI Ratified PDF
UNLESS THIS VERSION HAS BEEN TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE PCT
WEB SITE THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THIS IS THE CORRECT VERSION
Contents Page
Introduction 3
Guidance Aim 3
Guidance outcome 3
Target group 3
Specific responsibilities 4
Background 5
Governance 8
Training 8
Audit 8
Archiving 8
References 8
Glossary of terms 8
Appendix A
Appendix B
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Wirral PCT
Introduction
Guidance Aim
The aim of this guidance is to assist PCT Services in the risk assessment
process for PCT healthcare services, healthcare environments and specific
procedures for health care associated Infections (HCAI).
Guidance outcome
All PCT services will conduct risk assessments of their service. Risk
assessments of clinical care environments and specific procedures will be
performed according to the risks identified in the service risk assessment.
Target group
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Specific responsibilities
Chief Executive
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for ensuring infection prevention
and control is a core part of the Trusts governance and patient safety
programmes.
Board
The Board has collective responsible for ensuring assurance that appropriate
and effective policies are in place to minimise the risks of health care
associated infections.
Service Managers
Service managers are responsible for ensuring that HCAI is included in their
risk register and that appropriate risk assessments for HCAIs are completed
and reviewed annually or earlier if there are changes to a service or premise.
Staff
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Background
The PCT has a legal requirement through the Health Act 2006 to assess the
risks of patients acquiring health care associated infections and to take action
to reduce or control such risks. The PCT has a duty to ensure that it has:
Risk registers
Service assessment
All services must perform an overall risk assessment for the potential of
healthcare associated infection occurring and determine generalised risk
reduction strategies following standard infection control practice identified in
the Infection Control Policies.
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Hazards:
What procedures/treatments do you perform in your service where cross
infection to patients, staff, contractors, visitors etc could occur i.e. direct
patient contact, contact, invasive procedures, use of sharps, production of
hazardous waste, multi use of equipment etc.
Risks:
What risks could occur if the hazards above were not addressed i.e.
healthcare acquired infection.
People at risk:
This might be Community Nurse, Physiotherapy assistant, Decontamination
Operative, Patient, General Public, Domestic etc.
Clinic/Procedure assessment
Health care provided in a primary care environment is conducted in a variety
of individual clinic settings.
Appendix A is a risk assessment tool for HCAI which may assist completion
for these environments.
Risk assessment for HCAI must be conducted on the first patient contact
following the documentation in the PCT Risk Assessment Policy for care
provided in the home environment.
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Suggested risk reduction methods that can be used to
minimise the risk of health care associated infections.
If hands are visibly soiled use liquid soap and water, if not alcohol
based handrub may be used.
Bare below the elbow and removal of hand and wrist jewellery when
performing clinical duties (wedding band may remain).
Keep fingernails short and free from false nails and nail polish.
Use of gloves for invasive procedures, contact with sterile sites and
non intact skin, exposure to blood and body fluids, secretions or to
contaminated instruments.
Use of protective plastic aprons when there is a risk that clothing may
be exposed to blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions (with the
exception of sweat).
Risk assessment for HCAI must be completed for all new or redesigned
services or premises as part of the planning process. Guidance for the
healthcare environment can be found in NHS Estate Technical Memorandums
and guidance.
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Governance arrangements
Progress with HCAI risk assessments and any action plans developed from
these will be monitored by the Infection Control Committee.
If risks cannot be minimised they should be recorded in the PCT Service risk
register.
Training
Training in risk assessment is identified in the PCT Training Manual.
Audit
Archiving
Hard and/or electronic copies of this document will be held by the Infection
Prevention & Control Team for the retention period required by the DH 2006-
Records Management, NHS Code of Practice.
References
Department of Health (2006) the Health Act 2006: Code of Practice for the
Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections. London. DH.
NHS Estates (2002) Infection Control in the Built Environment design and
planning. The Stationary Office.
Glossary of terms
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List of those consulted in drafting process
Risk Management
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Appendix A: Proforma 1: Risk assessment of infection prevention and control practice in a clinic environment care is
given in a manner which will reduce the potential for healthcare acquired infections
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High risk practice Suggested risk reduction method Comments/revised score
Tick where high risk practice is found Tick if high- risk practice remains
unchanged
Aseptic technique not followed Arrange training with clinical
facilitators
Sharp items not disposed of Reinforce and audit policy
immediately after use into the correct
container
Use of individual patient prescribed Treatments for prescribed patient
products between patients only
Single use equipment reused Reinforce and audit policy
Equipment/medical devices not Review appropriate decontamination
decontaminated between patients procedures for equipment are
known and followed
Total number of high-risk practices Total number of high-risk
identified in baseline assessment practices remaining after risk
reduction initiatives
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Appendix B: Proforma 2: Risk assessment summary for high risk procedures/clinics
Risk Factors
Clinic/procedure Risk reduction method(s)
Decontamination
decontamination
Revised score
Dress code
Protective
technique
Multi use
products
clothing
Aseptic
Sharps
Hand
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