Minimise the risk of spreading infection by cleaning, disinfection and storing care equipment
Overview
This standard concerns the routine cleaning, disinfection and storage of re-usable non-invasive care equipment to minimise the risk of spreading infection. All staff in health and social care environments should receive training in cleaning, with or without disinfection of the care equipment they use but it should be clear who is responsible for this within each area or care setting. Cleaning and disinfecting are the terms that are used in this standard however in some areas the term 'decontamination' is used. 'Decontamination' is an umbrella term which incorporates cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising as appropriate. This standard covers activity in all health and social care environments, including community and domiciliary settings, and ambulance vehicles/stations, but excluding specialised settings, such as laboratories, pharmacies, or operating theatres, where more specialised methods may be required.
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. dentify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and others in minimising the risk of spreading infection by cleaning, disinfection and storing care equipment
P2. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
P3. perform effective hand hygiene before and on completion of the activity in accordance with organisational procedures
P4. inspect the care equipment before use, and ensure it is clean
P5. assess what cleaning, with or without disinfection, is required, and choose the appropriate agent and equipment
P6. gather the cleaning, and if required disinfection, agent and equipment and put on the appropriate personal protective equipment before commencing
P7. clean the care equipment according to the type of equipment, manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures
P8. use disinfectant safely where this is required as part of the cleaning process
P9. assess the state of repair of care equipment during cleaning, remove any equipment immediately that is not fit for use in accordance with workplace procedures
P10. report and replace any item that is damaged in line with workplace proceduresÂ
P11. ensure care equipment is stored in a clean, designated place in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures
P12. discard single use equipment and personal protective equipment in accordance with workplace procedures
P13. return cleaning and disinfection agents to safe storage, following regulations and guidance concerning hazardous substances, health and safety guidance and the manufacturer's instructions
P14. ensure your cleaning and disinfection equipment is clean, fit for purpose, in a good state of repair, and is stored in a clean designated place
P15. complete all relevant documentation required for minimising the risk of spreading infection by cleaning, disinfection and storing care equipment
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, workplace procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
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 hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
K5. the chain of infection
K6. how to access facilities for hand hygiene and the effective techniques for maintaining hand hygiene
K7. how to assess what cleaning, with or without disinfection, is required, and how to choose the appropriate agent and equipment
K8. the appropriate personal protective equipment to use when cleaning equipment and how to safely put on, remove and dispose of it in line with workplace proceduresÂ
K9. who is responsible for cleaning equipment
K10. when disinfectant is to be used as part of the cleaning process
K11. the cleaning schedules for deep and routine cleaningÂ
K12. the uses, dilutions, methods of application, storage and disposal of cleaning, and disinfectant products
K13. how to distinguish between single-use and reusable equipment and/or personal protective equipment and how to dispose, launder, clean, disinfect and store them safely
K14. how to escalate decontamination failure incidents that may require investigation
K15. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with workplace requirements