Download policy statement - Community Care Trust

COMMUNITY CARE TRUST (SOUTH DEVON) LTD
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
POLICY No CCT 108
POLICY STATEMENT
Otherwise known as decontamination, the purpose of this policy is to protect people
using the services, staff and the general public from further transmission of infection and
contamination of the environment.
DEFINTIONS
Decontamination is the elimination of micro-organisms and other material which would
otherwise be transferred to a susceptible site and cause infection.
Cleaning: The process of physically removing a number of viable micro organisms and
organic matter
Disinfection: The process of using heat or chemicals to reduce the number of viable
organisms but is unable to inactive all viruses or spores.
RECOMMENDATIONS
General Environmental Cleaning
In the general areas daily cleaning with a detergent based cleaning fluid is adequate.
The purpose of the cleaning process is to remove any organic matter, dust or debris to
reduce the bacterial load in the environment. The cleaning staff should be involved with
this process.
Each service has a cleaning schedule to follow to ensure all areas are thoroughly
cleaned on a regular basis.
CLEANING
Detergent is essential for effective cleaning. It breaks up grease and dirt and improves
the ability of water to remove soil. Organic material such as blood is coagulated by heat
or chemicals and therefore, must be cleaned with detergent and water in addition to
disinfection.
Cleaning with a neutral detergent removes many micro-organisms, and in many
situations is all that is required. The majority of these organisms are normal skin flora
and spores and are unlikely to be an infection hazard to people using the services, staff
or visitors, unless surfaces are heavily contaminated with body fluids.
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Wet surfaces and equipment are more likely to encourage the growth of microorganisms and to spread potential pathogens. Cleaning equipment and used cleaning
solutions should be removed from food preparation areas as soon as cleaning is
completed. Surfaces should be left as dry as possible following cleaning.
Mops and other equipment should be cleaned, drained and stored dry. Buckets and
washbowls should be single use where possible, changed for each person’s use, and
disposed of each day.
All cleaning equipment should be examined at regular intervals and cleaned if soiled.
Worn or damaged equipment should be repaired or replaced. Cleaning solutions should
be changed frequently to prevent the accumulation or multiplication of bacteria.
DISINFECTING
Staff must remember that cleaning is an essential pre-requisite when decontaminating
equipment and must precede disinfection. The routine use of disinfectants is wasteful,
potentially harmful and unnecessary.
Disinfection can be achieved by physical methods such as boiling or pasteurisation. In
practice, the use of chemical disinfectants is more commonly used within the CCT
services.
COSHH Regulations and Disinfection
Staff must only use products when a COSHH assessment has been performed using
safety data sheets obtainable from the manufacturer. Personal protective clothing must
be worn when making up and using solutions according to risk to assessment. Ensure
exposure limits are adhered to if applicable. Only use solutions or powders that are
within their expiry date. Any sensitivity or reaction to a disinfectant must be reported.
IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’TS OF DISINFECTION
DON’T
DO
Add the measured amount of disinfectant
to the right amount of water, to make an
effective solution for use.
Use a clean, dry container for the solution.
Wash away any evidence of soils, before
using the disinfectant.
Use fresh solution each day
Remember that if disinfectants are used
carelessly they may promote microbial
growth.
Check expiry dates.
Give adequate time for disinfectant to
work.
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Add detergent to a disinfectant; this may
inactivate both.
Store instruments or cleaning tools in a
disinfectant.
Try to disinfect a device that has not been
thoroughly cleaned
Top up yesterday’s solution: make up a
fresh one today.
Use two disinfectants together, unless one
of them is alcohol, which is used as a post
disinfectant rinse, or wipe to assist drying.
Bring in your own disinfectant
Disinfect if cleaning is sufficient.
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ADDITIONAL CLEANING
In the event of an outbreak a deep disinfection clean of an area may be requested by
the Infection Control Link Nurse.
In the event of increases in numbers of people with specific infections in one of the livein services a daily deep disinfection clean may be requested by the Infection Control
Link Nurse.
POLICY MONITORING
The Community Care Trust employ contracted cleaners who are trained to provide a
professional service. The managers of the live-in services are responsible for monitoring
the effectiveness of the cleaning service and reporting to the monthly Governance
Committee.
Incidents where non-compliance with this policy are considered to pose an actual or
potential risk to people’s safety must be documented on an incident report form, by the
person witnessing the incident.
Date of last review:
Version number:
Date of next review:
April 2011
01
April 2014
Signature ………………………………….
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