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.
The Health and Social Care Act 2008; Code of Practice for health and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. To help providers of healthcare, adult social care, (and others) plan and implement how they prevent and control infections. It includes criteria for CQC to take into account when assessing compliance with the registration requirement on cleanliness and infection control. Legislation, regulations and guidance that
ICO1 Outcome 1 Understand roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of infections 1. Explain employees’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection All employees are responsible for the prevention of spread of infections. Employees should also, in the care industry, have a personal as well as a moral responsibility to follow infection control guidelines. Regular hand washing is a responsibility that all staff should follow as well as wearing all appropriate/available PPE. There is many roles within a health and social care environment where infection control is always important.
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.
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.
IC01: The principles of infection prevention and control 1.1. Employees roles and responsibilities include personal, organisational and legal responsiblities; responsibilities to self, colleagues, employer, clients, visitors; responsiblities for acting to prevent spread of infection, review of practice; good personal hygiene; using PPE; managing blood and bodily fluids; proper use and handling of laundry; safe handling and disposal of clinical waste and sharps; thorough hand hygiene. 1.2. Employers responibilities include personal, organisational and legal responsiblities; responibilities to self, colleagues, employees, visitors, clients; responsibilities for establishing, maintaining and updating procedures, assessing risks, identifying and taking action on training needs; knowledge of relevant policies; monitoring/training staff, providing PPE and monitoring work environment. 2.1.
• 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
Employees must take precautionary measures to protect themselves, other staff, visitors and the individuals they are supporting. Employers will provide necessary training the employees must undertake. Guidelines relating to IPC; Health and Safety at work Act COSHH RIDDOR Food Safety Act NICE Employees must put safe ways of working into practice, simple step such as effective Han washing, correct use of PPE, not attending work while ill, effective cleaning of the environment and equipment will all help to prevent the spread of infection or cross contamination. 1.2) Explain Employers responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection Employers have a duty to provide PPE, Equipment, effective cleaning materials, that will assist in the prevention of the spread of infection. They must also provide / organise necessary and adequate training for all staff in the work environment.
Roles and Responsibilities of Personnel In a health and social care setting each member of staff has a specific role when dealing with service users and the prevention and control of infections. Care workers such as nurses have a responsibility to keep the risk of infection to a minimum in a health and social care setting. They must consider themselves, their colleagues, their patients and visitors while on duty. Care workers must maintain a good personal hygiene at all times and wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with the patients that they are treating. They must also wash hands after using the toilet and before handling food.
It also includes criteria which the CQC (Care Quality Commission) take into account when assessing compliance. 2.2 Local and organisational policies that are relevant to the prevention and control of infection are The public health (Control of disease) act 1984, the Social Care Act, NICE guidelines and other company policies and procedures which relate to the control and prevention of infection and disease. 3.1 The procedures and systems relevant to the control and prevention of infection are that all employees must wear their PPE as instructed, dispose of all clinical waste appropriately, and maintain a high level of personal and environmental hygiene. Attend regular