Question

Briefly explain how the following sate/ territory legislations relevant to individual support impact codes of practice

1. infection control

Answer 1

Infection is caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi getting into or onto the body. It can take some time before the microbes multiply enough to trigger symptoms of illness, which means an infected person may unwittingly be spreading the disease during this incubation period.

Good infection prevention (including cleanliness) 1 is essential to ensure that people who use health and social care services receive safe and effective care. Effective prevention and control of infection must be part of everyday practice and be applied consistently by everyone.

Good management and organisational processes are crucial to make sure that high standards of infection prevention (including cleanliness)are developed and maintained.

The main purposes of the Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections (The Code) are to:

• make the registration requirements relating to infection prevention clear to all registered providers so that they understand what they need to do to comply;

• provide guidance for the CQC’s staff to make judgement about compliance with the requirements for infection prevention;

• provide information for people who use the services of a registered provider;

• provide information for commissioners of services on what they should expect of their providers; and

• provide information for the general public

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined as resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by it and applies to antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitics and antibiotics. Antimicrobial stewardship is the use of coordinated interventions to improve and measure the use of antimicrobials by promoting optimal drug regimen, dose, duration and route. The aim is for optimal clinical outcome and to limit selection of resistant strains. This is a key component of a multi-faceted approach to preventing antimicrobial resistance. The Code recognises that many infections that arise in the community may not be related to the delivery of healthcare. Nevertheless, some of these infections may be preventable by good practice, such as hygiene and immunisation, which is dealt with in the Code and the related guidance.

The below is the ‘Code of Practice’ for all providers of healthcare and adult social care on the prevention of infections under The Health and Social Care Act 2008. This sets out the 10 criteria against which a registered provider will be judged on how it complies with the registration requirements related to infection prevention. Not all criteria will apply to every regulated activity.

1. Systems to manage and monitor the prevention and control of infection. These systems use risk assessments and consider the susceptibility of service users and any risks that their environment and other users may pose to them.

2. Provide and maintain a clean and appropriate environment in managed premises that facilitates the prevention and control of infections.

3. Ensure appropriate antimicrobial use to optimise patient outcomes and to reduce the risk of adverse events and antimicrobial resistance.

4. Provide suitable accurate information on infections to service users, their visitors and any person concerned with providing further support or nursing/ medical care in a timely fashion.

5. Ensure prompt identification of people who have or are at risk of developing an infection so that they receive timely and appropriate treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting infection to other people.

6. Systems to ensure that all care workers (including contractors and volunteers) are aware of and discharge their responsibilities in the process of preventing and controlling infection.

7. Provide or secure adequate isolation facilities.

8. Secure adequate access to laboratory support as appropriate.

9. Have and adhere to policies, designed for the individual’s care and provider organisations that will help to prevent and control infections.

10. Providers have a system in place to manage the occupational health needs and obligations of staff in relation to infection.