Unit 224 – The Principles of Infection Prevention and Control 1. Understand roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of infections 2.1 Explain the employees’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection. It is the duty of the employee to make sure that they follow the policies, procedures and guidelines that have been put in place in the prevention and control of infection 1.2 Explain the employers’ responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection. Employers have responsibilities for the health and safety of their employees. They are also responsible for any visitors to their premises such as customers, suppliers and the general public.
Infection Control – IC01 and IC02 1. Describe what are the employees and employer responsibilities regarding infection control. Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1992) requires employers to assess the risk to their employees’ health and to put in place control measures. In relation to infection control, it is the employer’s responsibilities to ensure that staff is protected from exposure to infectious hazards through the provision of safe systems of work, these includes Employers must ensure that policies relating to infection control are reviewed and update annually To provide resources to effect the general principles of infection control and minimise the risk. To ensure that systems are in place to prevent staff from choosing whom they will or will not care for.
Unit 4222-264 The principles of infection prevention and control 1.1 Explain employees’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection. There will be policies and procedures in all health and social care organisations that will outline what the employees’ roles and responsibilities are in relation to the prevention and control of infection. There will also be legislation in relation to infection control. It is up to all employees to know the legislation and the organisation’s policies and procedures so that they can take action to prevent the spread of infection in accordance with these. Employees’ also have a personal and moral responsibility to prevent and control the spread of infection as they are members of a caring society and profession.
If I have any concerns whatsoever regarding the management of infectious diseases in the workplace, I should contact line / project manager, whom will then seek professional advice. All employees must also observe general precautions, other rules specific to a particular work activity must also be observe red. Roles and responsibilities of personnel in relation to infection control. Explain employers’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide employees with information on such policies, as well as ensure all employees receive sufficient training where necessary.
There are a range of roles were the prevention and control of infection apply, here are the ones that apply to my line of work; working with hazardous substances, working in an environment that exposes me to infection, working with people who are vulnerable to infection and working in a place that is a communal living area. 2. The employer is responsible for ensuring that all employees’ know and apply the correct working procedures, this can be undertaken via providing adequate training. The employer is required to provide the appropriate personal protective equipment and the correct medical equipment as well as carrying out risk assessments. The employer is also responsible for the organisation of the workplace, ensuring that the risk of infection is minimised as much as possible.
Care workers have a role in reporting infections or disease outbreaks. This is a legal duty that they have to perform. The Health and Safety Executive or the environmental health department of the local authorities must be notified of the following: • Possible poisoning • Contagious diseases such as hepatitis or TB • Acute illness that may be caused by workplace toxins or infected material Care workers are also a part of the admissions of service users. When individuals are referred to a residential home or a hospital, the care workers are provided with knowledge about the individual and their needs so they can prepare equipment, space, materials, special diets and medication for them. There will also be an initial examination taken to identify any skin lesions and problems that may indicate the need for separation from others.
UNIT IC01 The principles of infection prevention and control Please refer to unit assessment criteria when answering these questions Complete the following two spider charts (1.1,1.2). Should follow your employer’s should always wear protective Workplace safety procedures clothing as provided eg.gloves Reporting any problems if necessary aprons etc (PPE) Should always attend All waste should be disposed Training provided by of correctly Your employer Hands should be washed Any concerns should be Thoroughly during and after reported to your employer Any activities Equipment and environment Should be kept as clean as Possible A duty to protect those at work By supplying PPE (aprons, gloves etc) To ensure that all employees Are suitably trained in relation To infection control To ensure that the relevant standards, Policies and guidelines are available Within the workplace Ensuring that the correct Procedures are followed in Risk assessments should be Respect of prevention and control made to identify and assess Of infection the risk Have procedures in place to Deal with waste as this can Be a source of infection any outbreak of infection Should be reported to the Health protection team and The Quality Care commission Outline the legislation and regulatory body standards which are relevant to the prevention and control of infection (2.1) The Health and Social Care Act 2008 and Code of Practice – this requires all organisations which provide health and adult social care to have policies, procedures and protocols in place which
If I have any concerns whatsoever regarding the management of infectious diseases in the workplace, I should contact my supervisor. All employees must also observe general Understand precautions, other rules specific to a particular work activity must also be observed. 1.2 Explain employers’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide employees with information on such policies, as well as ensure all employees receive sufficient training where necessary. Also to provide personal protective equipment to all members of staff.
• As an employee I must attend any necessary training that is provided by my employer regarding the prevention and control of infection. • It is important as an employee that I am aware of these regulations and legislation so that I can work safely; at work there is information which is provided in the health and safety file and COSHH file. • As an employee if I come across a hazard such as bodily fluids spilt in an area or a staff member not wearing gloves it must be reported and not ignore it as this may cause infection to spread. • In the workplace I need to put the safe ways of working into practice; for example by effective hand washing, not coming into work when I am not feeling well as this will be putting others at risk. • All equipment needs to be cleaned correctly to avoid
1/1.2 The Employers responsibility to all employees is to, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, (NICE) guidelines provide everyone involved in providing care with education about the standard principles of infection prevention and control and trained in hand decontamination and the use of protective equipment. With regular updates and appropriate equipment available, whilst maintaining up to date policies that can be easily accessed by all employers. The most important outcome in relation to the NICE guidelines is to protect health care workers from health care associated infections and prevent cross contamination of infections from patient to patient. 2/2.1 The NICE guidelines state that health care workers are required by law to be provided with appropriate supplies of hand decontamination products, PPE and sharps disposal equipment (Health And Safety Work Act 1974, Health and Safety Regulations 2002, Control of Substances Harmful to Heath Regulations 2002, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Health and Social Care Act 2008). This recommendation complies to current