19 February 2021
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We found the following examples of good practice.
The service was clean, hygienic and uncluttered in appearance. Effective cleaning routines had been put in place to ensure infection control risks were minimised and people were kept safe. High contact areas were cleaned regularly throughout each shift and cleaning procedures had been reviewed and updated.
All staff had completed online infection prevention and control and Covid-19 training. In addition, the infection control lead carried out competency checks with staff to ensure they understood the online training and were using PPE correctly. The service had maintained good stocks of PPE and managers routinely worked alongside care staff to help ensure best infection control practices were followed.
The registered and deputy managers communicated regularly with people, staff and relatives to make sure everyone understood the precautions being taken, and how to keep people safe. Staff kept in touch with families by regular telephone and video calls. Due to the current national lockdown relatives were not visiting people inside the home. The registered manager was in discussion with people and their families about how best to resume visiting.
There was a designated area, in the lobby of the premises, to enable visiting professionals and staff to sanitise their hands, have their temperature taken and put on PPE. There were PPE stations throughout the service and suitable waste bins were in place for the deposing of used PPE.
Appropriate testing procedures for Covid-19 had been implemented for all staff, and people who used the service, following national guidance regarding the frequency and type of testing.
In consultation with each person’s GP individual risk assessments had been carried out to identify people who were at increased risk of Covid-19. Appropriate measures had been put in place to reduce the risk for people who had been assessed as being more vulnerable. For example, reducing the number of different staff who provided personal care for them.
The service had updated their infection control policy in response to the pandemic. Specific Covid-19 policies had also been developed to provide guidance for staff about how to respond to the pandemic. These policies were kept under continuous review as changes to government guidance was published.
The service had a contingency plan to reduce the risk of cross infection should there be an outbreak of Covid-19 at the service. This included the potential for cohorting people within zones and separating staff teams.