Policy on the Cleaning of Spillage

Policy Statement

Westminster Homecare believes that adherence to strict guidelines on infection control is of paramount importance in ensuring the safety of both service users and staff.

The Company adheres fully to Standard 11 – Safe working practices of the National Minimum Standards for Domiciliary Care.

Aim

The aim of the Company is to prevent the spread of infection amongst staff, service users and the local community.

Goals

The goals of the Company are to ensure that:

  1. Service users, their families and staff are as sage as possible from acquiring infections.
  2. All staff are aware of and put into practice the basic principles of infection control.

Legal Considerations and Statutory Guidance

The Company should adhere to the following infection control legislation.

  1. The Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 and the Public Health and Infectious Diseases Regulations 1988 which place a duty on the Company to prevent the spread of infection.
  2. The Reporting of incidents, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) which places a duty on the Company to report outbreaks of certain diseases as well as accidents such as needle-stick accidents.
  3. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH) which places a duty on the Company to ensure that potentially infectious materials are identified as hazards and dealt with accordingly.
  4. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 which makes it the responsibility of the Company to dispose of clinical waste safely.

Procedures for the Cleaning of Spillage

Spillage can be either standard fluid spillage or spillage of body fluids or waste.

Standard Fluid Spillage

Water or spilt drinks can represent a considerable slip hazard, especially on hard floor surfaces and thoroughfares such as corridors, kitchens and bathrooms. Such spillage’s should not be left unattended and should always be cleaned up as soon as possible using standard cleaning equipment. Areas that are wet should be marked with a slip hazard warning notice. Cleaners mopping and cleaning floors should also use slip hazard-warning notices to mark all wet areas.

Spillage of Body Fluids or Body Waste

Staff should treat every spillage of body fluids or body waste as quickly as possible and as potentially infectious. For a spillage of blood or body fluids a 10,000 ppm hypochlorite solution should be used. All staff should be trained in the cleaning of spillage and should always carefully follow the dilution instructions on the disinfectant bottle. They should wear protective gloves and aprons and use disposable wipes wherever possible. Eye protection should also be used if there is a risk of splashing. Hypochlorite can damage the skin, clothing and furnishing and should be used only with extreme care. Any skin splashes should be washed with running water immediately.

Hypocholrite solutions should never be mixed with other solutions as toxic fumes may occur.

In the event of a spillage staff should:

  1. Put on disposable gloves and apron
  2. Prepare the hypochlorite solution
  3. Cover the spillage with paper towels
  4. Carefully wipe up the spillage with more towels soaked in hypochlorite
  5. Dispose of waste in a yellow plastic waste bag
  6. Dispose of gloves and apron last
  7. Wash hands in soap and water.

Cleaning Policy

Keeping floors, worktops, toilets and equipment clean not only looks good but is health too so cleaning staff have an important part to play in infection control, as do other staff who occasionally have to clean up spillage. Germs need nutrients on which to grow and they find ample supplies in the dirt and grime of unclean areas.

Most areas can be cleaned with ordinary household detergents and cleansers but contaminated areas should be cleaned with hypochlorite detergents.

All staff have a responsibility to help keep work areas clean and tidy and to identify areas which fall below acceptable or safe standards.

Infection Control Training

Uncleaned spillage represent a considerable hazard and it is therefore essential that all staff should be trained to know exactly what to do in the event of a spillage and should know where to find the necessary equipment. This is especially essential as cleaning solutions themselves can also present a hazard to staff not trained in their use.

All new staff should be encouraged to read the policy on Infection Control and Food Handling and Hygiene as part of their induction process. Existing staff should be offered training to National Training Organisation standards covering basic information about infection control. In-house training sessions should be conducted at least annually and all relevant staff should attend.

Infection Control training co-ordinator:______

Signed:______

Date:______

Policy Review Date:______

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Health and Safety

(Spillage)June 2002