Prepare and dress for work in healthcare settings
Overview
This standard covers the control of cross-infection by correctly preparing and dressing appropriately for work in healthcare areas. This includes effective handwashing and cleansing.
Users of this standard will need to communicate effectively to meet individuals' needs and wishes and work in line with health and safety legislation, policy and practices.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and others in preparing and dressing for work in healthcare settings
P2. remove personal clothing and fashion items that should not be worn in the workplace and store them in an appropriate safe place
P3. check that all Personal Protective Equipment is clean, in a good state of repair and fits comfortably
P4. select and wear the correct Personal Protective Equipment for your role and the procedure you are undertaking in line with organisational policy
P5. where required, cover any cuts and grazes securely with an appropriate dressing
P6. maintain a clean, neat and tidy appearance at all times
P7. change your Personal Protective Equipment as soon as practicably possible if it becomes unsuitable for use
P8. remove your Personal Protective Equipment safely in a way that minimises the risk of cross-infection and put it in the appropriate place for re-processing or disposal
P9. report any shortfalls in Personal Protective Equipment stocks promptly to the appropriate person
P10. prevent contamination of Personal Protective Equipment by only wearing it in the designated working area, and changing into personal clothing when you finish work
P11. wear additional Personal Protective Equipment when there is an identified additional risk in accordance with organisational procedures
P12. wash and dry your hands effectively, or use an appropriate alcoholic skin decontamination fluid in accordance with organisational procedures
P13. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
P14. complete all relevant documentation required for preparing and dressing for work in healthcare settings
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions, legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols needed to prepare and dress for work in healthcare settings
K2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
K3. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
K4. the importance of maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times
K5. the personal (outdoor) clothing and other personal fashion items that should be removed for work in a clinical/controlled environment, and the reasons for this
K6. the causes of infection and cross-infection
K7. the application of standard precautions for infection control and other relevant health and safety issues
K8. organisational policy on the use of makeup or the wearing of jewellery and covering facial and head hair where this is required
K9. protective clothing, including uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment, and:
a. the reasons why particular materials are used for Personal Protective Equipment clothing
b. the types of protective clothing available, and their suitability in different situations
c. the reasons why Personal Protective Equipment clothing must be clean and undamaged when being worn
K10. how the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment clothing contributes to infection control and how this links to standard precautions
K11. the importance of wearing Personal Protective Equipment clothing which is comfortable
K12. the reasons why Personal Protective Equipment clothing should not be worn outside the designated working area
K13. the circumstances in which additional Personal Protective Equipment is needed
K14. the types of additional Personal Protective Equipment available
K15. the suitability of different types of additional Personal Protective Equipment for different situations
K16. the importance of wearing adequate and appropriate additional Personal Protective Equipment
K17. where and how to dispose of used, dirty and damaged clothing (both re-usable and single-use)
K18. the importance of effective hand washing, methods and techniques for cleaning hands and other areas of skin, and the times at which skin cleaning is necessary
K19. the importance of washing and maintain uniform/workwear at home to prevent cross-infection
K20. procedures for reporting problems with Personal Protective Equipment clothing and additional Personal Protective Equipment
K21. how to dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
K22. how to complete all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements