Unit Title: 311 - Supporting infection control and prevention in adult care settings/services Answer

Introduction Of :Unit Title: 311 – Supporting infection control and prevention in adult care settings/services

For this unit you will also need to upload an up-to-date infection control certificate please.

Useful links for this unit are: For guidance only.

Don’t forget to use your company policies and procedures.

Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Infection prevention and control (skillsforcare.org.uk)

Infection prevention and control in care homes - Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk)

Learning Outcome 1: Understand how to prevent and control the spread of infection.

AC1.1 identifies different types of infection.

There are wide range of infections such as viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic etc., which directly affects the health and

well-being of the staff or people. Viral is considered as one of the common infection that occurs in the workplace and directly influence the health and safety of the people in care homes. This infection can cause several infectious diseases like illness by killing the cells. This infection is tiny infectious agents that are only competent to replicating inside the cells of other living organism. In addition, common cold, chickenpox, herpes, Hepatitis C and B, Human papillomavirus, Shingles etc., ate the common types of viruses that cause various illnesses (Bost et al, 2020). Apart from this, another type of infection is bacterial that generally happens in the care homes and directly impacts the health and safety of the staff. Bacterial cause various infectious diseases involving urinary tract, strep throat infections meningitis and tuberculosis. I also suffered from bacterial infection which caused many skin rashes on my skin.

Furthermore, bacteria can enter the body through scrapes, wounds and surgical incisions. Common bacterial infection include strep throat infections, staph infections, urinary tract infection, tuberculosis and ear infections. On the other hand, fungal is another common infection that occurs in care homes and directly impacts the well-being of the people (Daniloski et al, 2021). Fungal infections are more troublesome than dangerous which can cause serious illness. In addition, inhaling fungal spores is one of the common methods of developing the fungal infection. The common infections are athlete’s foot, candidiasis and ringworm. On the other hand, parasitic is another type of infection that generally occurs in care homes and impacts the health of the individuals. I observed that this infection is spread through water and it results in nausea, diarrhea and stomach upset. Additionally, Tapeworms, Hookworms, Pinworms, Fluekes, Whipworms etc., are common parasitic infections that directly influence the health of staff.

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AC1.2 describes how different types of infection are spread.

Infections can be spread through several ways such as direct contact, indirect contact, droplet, airborne, Fecal-oral, blood-borne, vertical, vector-borne transmission etc. Direct contact is considered as easy way to catch most infectious diseases by coming in contact with the individual who have infection. Additionally, infectious diseases such as bacteria, virus etc., are easily transferred from one person to another (Thurner, Klimek and Hanel, 2020). In direct contact, infections are spread when people with virus and bacteria touches, sneeze and kisses to someone who is not infected. I also suffered from infectious diseases and germs can spread with the help of exchange of body fluids from carnal contact.

Along with this, another way of spreading the infection is indirect contact. Disease causing organism can also be conceded by indirect contact through air and other mechanism. Spreading of infectious disease through indirect contact includes airborne transmission, contaminated objects, food and drinking water, animal to person contact. In the context of indirect contact, transmission happens through contact with the polluted objects or surfaces such as utensils, doorknobs or towels. Additionally, droplet transmission is another way of spreading the infection in the people and this occurs through respiratory droplets such as infected person sneezes, coughs and talks. In the context of airborne transmission, infectious diseases are spread through dust particles and tiny breathing droplets that remain deferred in the air for long period of time (Car et al, 2020). Apart from this, vector-borne is another way from which infections are spreading quickly and speedily. In this, infections are feast through vectors like fleas, ticks or mosquitoes that carry and diffuse pathogens. Bloodborne and vertical transmission are another way of spreading several infections into the people which harm their health and well-being. In the bloodborne, infections are spread through contact with the products related to blood. On the other hand, in vertical transmission, infections are spread from mother to child at the time of their birth, pregnancy or breastfeeding.

AC1.3 describes how to minimise the spread of infection in care settings/services

The healthcare staffs are accountable to adopt various ways in order to minimize the spread of infections in care settings. Being a healthcare staff, I implementing several approaches such as create infection control policy, determining contagions, provide infection control education etc., in order to minimizing the spread of infection in care services. Hand washing is considered as one of the common way that helps in reducing the spread of infection within the care setting. For minimizing the spread of infections I also wash the hand with the warm water and soaps dynamically for at least 20 seconds. I also encouraged all people and staff members in the facility to wash their hands in proper way before eating, drinking and offering care among caring for patients.

In addition, for minimizing the spread of infection in my care homes to secure the health and safety of patients I also create infection control policy. Adoption of this policy in my care home is beneficial because it aids in minimize distribution of infections in healthcare settings with the key objective to reduce infection rates. This policy helps in providing the details to the patients about the highest risk of increasing infections. This policy involves information on when patients will be positioned on isolation precautions.

Along with this, for minimizing the spread of infection within care homes I also provide infection control education to the staff and other people. Providing education to the staff members and patients are beneficial because from which they easily determine common infections and prevent their blowout (Rossman et al, 2020). I provide recurring and continued education regarding infection control includes droplet-borne and blood borne pathogen to the people. For securing health and safety of the patients I also use gloves at the time interacting with them.

AC1.4 explains how to identify individuals who have, or are at risk of infection.

There is wide range of factors that helps the people to determine whether they have risk of infection or not.

Vaccination status is considered as one of the critical factor that helps the people to determine that they have risk of infections. The people who are not taking vaccination dose have significant contribution towards the infections as compare to vaccinated people. However, to reduce the risk of infection it is essential for the people to take vaccines dose. Vaccines help in stimulating the protective immune system of the human’s body. For example, if any individual is infected with the pathogen then their immune system can speedily prevent the infection from spreading with the body and causing disease. In addition, age is another crucial factor that assists the people to determine whether they have chance of increasing infection or not (Antonelli et al, 2022). Generally, the elderly people have high risk of spreading infection due to their weaken immune system. Older people are more probable to have underlying health situations. Huge number of deaths from respiratory viruses happens in people who have age more than 65.

Along with this, underlying medical condition is another element that helps the people to determine whether they have high risk of increasing infections. The people who suffer from severe diseases such as diabetes, obesity, HIV etc., have high risk arising infection as compare to normal people because of their weak immune system. If the people are suffering from fatigue then they have high risk of increasing infections due to weaken immune system. Furthermore, the individuals who are under-nutrition can have high risk of infection. Undernourished people are more vulnerable to infectious pathogens and more probable to die from various diseases. Under-nutrition can increase risk of infection due to impaired immune system, nutrient loss, and vicious cycle as well as reduced gut barrier function.

AC1.5 describes actions to take to minimise the risks of infection to individuals and others.

There are numerous actions that are taken by the people and others in order to minimize the risk of infections. Hand hygiene is recognized as one of the common action that is taken by the people to minimize the infections who

suffered. It is an effective manner of cleaning hand that helps in reducing possible pathogens on the hands. World health organization (WHO) illustrates moments for the patients and staff members to practice the hand hygiene before touching person, after exposure to body or blood fluid, before clean or uninfected procedures and after significant contact with the surroundings. To minimize the risk of infection it is important for the individuals to keep hand hygiene after removal of PPE, after using toilet, before and after handling food as well as after cleaning or handling waste (Department of health and social care, 2024). In addition, respiratory hygiene is another action that is taken by the people and others to reduce the risks of infection. Effective respiratory hygiene helps in reducing the infections. For reducing the infection, the patients and staff members can require to cover mouth and nose with the disposable tissues during wiping, sneezing, coughing and blowing the nose. To reduce the risks of infection I also disposing used tissues in the waste bins and clean my hands after sneezing, coughing.

On the other hand, at the time contact with the patients and other staff members I use personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risks of infections. The use of PPE is recognizing the probability of exposure of body fluids, blood, execration and secretion as well as risk connected with the procedure of pathogens to the people (Nicolaides et al, 2020). This action helps in minimizing risk of infection by creating a barrier between the healthcare workers and potential infectious materials.

AC1.6 outline own role and responsibilities in identifying, or acting upon the identification, of an outbreak or spread of infection.

As an individual in the care homes, I has several roles and responsibilities in determining and acting upon and outbreak of infection. To prevent the infection from spreading I can require to emphasis on hand hygiene that helps in minimizing spread of infection. I can require washing hands before touching a person and clean as well as aseptic

procedure. For out breaking the infections I can need to wash hands after removal of PPE, using toilet and after cleaning or handling wastes. In addition, for out-breaking the infections in effective way I can require to emphasis on using PPE includes masks, gloves, gowns shoe and head covers as well as respirators etc. It helps in controlling the infections because it acts as a barrier between materials such as bacterial and viral pollutants (Jehi et al 2020). In addition, I can need to wear gloves for controlling the infections from spreading which directly affects my health and safety. Gloves help me in protecting my hands at the time of handling contaminated surfaces and infectious materials potentially. Gowns aids in protect my clothes from the materials and pollutants which increases risk of arising infection at higher rates.

To outbreak the infection I can require to wear masks which aids in protecting mouth and nose from the splashed body fluids. On the other hand, I also need to adopt respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to control the infection from spreading. It is one of the common type of PPE that is designed to protect me against airborne hazards. Adoption of this equipment is beneficial for me in protecting my health and well-being from infections such as irritant vapours, corrosive, toxic, gases, dusts, fibres, fumes etc.

AC1.7 outline own role in supporting others to follow practices that reduce the spread of infection.

Being an adult care worker in home care I have various roles to support others like patients and staff members to follow practices that help in reducing the spread of infections. To enhance the safety and health of the people I am accountable for providing complete information about the policies and procedures related to infection control. By providing the information related to policies I can protect staff, patients and visitors from spreading the infections in healthcare settings. This policy helps in improving the quality of care and standard of living of the people by controlling the infections. In the care settings implementing infection control policy is useful because it aids in

delivering the high quality of healthcare services to the people (Jefferson et al, 2023). Additionally, being an adult care worker in the care home I am accountable for providing adequate training relevant to infection control to the patients and other staff. Infection control training aids in enhancing safety of the patients and working environment of the care home. By conducting training, I teach individuals and others about way of preventing the infections and also help in increase their understanding regarding spreading of infections.

Moreover, infection control training helps in outbreak the infection by increasing understanding related to way of applying scientific principles (Dwipayanti, Lubis and Harjana, 2021). Apart from this, for out breaking or eliminating the infection from spreading I also conduct risk assessment. In risk assessment I play role of describing activities, determine patients risks, evaluate surrounding areas, develop mitigation plan, and prioritize risks and reassessing as well as managing risks in effective and efficient way. With the help of risk assessment I easily determine particular tasks that carry risk of spread and contamination of the diseases. Additionally, infection control risk assessment also aids in determine the hazards, developing actionable goals, creating proactive strategy and enhancing quality of care within health settings.

AC1.8 describe own responsibilities for ensuring the appropriate cleaning and decontamination of environments and equipment.

As an adult care worker I have numerous accountabilities to ensure the appropriate cleaning and decontamination of environment and equipment. For sanitizing the equipment and environment I am accountable for understanding and executing the cleaning protocols. Implementation of cleaning protocols is beneficial because it helps in keeping the place clean which reduces the risk of infections. In my care home I also adopt cleaning protocols to decontamination of equipment and environment because it aids in spreading of respiratory infections and contagious

viruses. Implementation of cleaning protocols is beneficial because it helps in enhancing wellness, work performance, improving community etc., which positively influence on the overall health and well-being (Assadian et al, 2021). Additionally, for proper cleaning and sanitization of the equipment and environment in home care I am also responsible for using PPE which encompasses gloves, masks, gowns, sunglasses etc. I am also responsible for disposing the PPE in waste bins after using because it helps in eliminate cross infection. In addition, I am also liable for inspection and maintenance of equipment on regular basis in order to clean the environment in successful way. For continuous inspection of the equipment I can need to adopt various testing methods which help in checking of invisible contaminants. Regular maintenance of equipment related to cleaning and sanitizing of the equipment and environment is useful because it aids in preventing injuries and accidents. To ensure appropriate refinement and cleaning of environment and equipment I am also answerable for conducting training and development for staff members. By conducting training I am liable to provide comprehensive information about the latest and updated guidance and methods related to decontamination and cleaning. With the help of this, all the staff members are accountable for follow all the regulations related to cleaning of environment to protect and safeguard their and other people’s health and well-being (Lotfinejad, Peters and Pittet, 2020).

Learning outcome 2: Be able to contribute to the prevention and control of the spread of infection.

AC2.1 risk assesses infection control measures in a range of situations.

As an adult worker it is important for me to assess the risks which are associated with infection control measures in various situations. Personal care is recognized as one of the common source of infection. For my health and safety it is crucial for me to maintain the personal care by implementing various measures. For my personal care it is essential for me to wash the hands on regular basis after easting and handling foods, using toilet, contacting with

patients’ experience etc. For effective personal care I will need to wear PPE such as gloves, gowns, masks, sunglasses etc. I am also liable for disposing the PPE into waste bins in order to reduce and control the infections. On the other hand, meal time is another situation which increases the risk of infection due to not proper handling and eating the food. It is important for the people to cooked and stored the food in proper measurement and wash hands with the soap effectively which helps in reduce pathogens in the hands (Moccia et al, 2020). Medical administration is another situation that directly impacts the health and well-being of the people. For controlling the infection the people can need to use PPE in effective way, put disposals in waste bins and perform hand hygiene before and after activity. Additionally, activities related to cleaning and disinfection is another situation that poses significant risk for the people. To manage this situation in proper way, people can need to use PPE and suitable product.

AC2.2 use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) correctly in a range of situations.

Don’t answer this will be seen during observation.

AC2.3 identify when it is necessary to perform hand hygiene.

In the context of health care setting, hand hygiene is considered as one of the significant practice that helps in controlling the infection from spread. For protecting the health and safety of the people from infection it is important for the people to wash hands after every activity. To protect the health from infections, the people are liable to wash their hands before and after handling of food because it helps in reduce pathogens on the hands, prevent cross contamination, and eliminate spread of infections. Washing hands after eating is beneficial because it aids in removing the germs that can cause illness such as flu, food poisoning, diarrhea etc (Chatterjee, 2022). To reduce

the risk of infection I also perform hand hygiene after using toilet which helps in averting the spread of germs like virus, bacteria etc that cause various severe diseases. Performing hand hygiene is beneficial for the people to safeguard their health and well-being because it aids in controlling spread of diseases, stop germs from spreading to food and drinks, surfaces etc.

I perform hand hygiene after contacting with the surroundings of patients because it assist in stopping the spread of infections and germs as well as minimize the chances of getting sick. Performing hand hygiene in effective way helps in minimizing the risk of healthcare personnel which are getting infected from germs (Hillier, 2020). To control the infections the people need to perform hand hygiene after blood fluid exposure because it helps in reducing the pathogens on hands and minimize the risks of occurring severe disease (Jin et al, 2020). Apart from this, for performing hand hygiene I do wet hands and apply soaps, rub palm together, rub the back of hands, fingers and thumbs and then rinse.

AC2.4 perform hand hygiene using recommended techniques and appropriate products.

Don’t answer this will be seen during observation.

AC2.5 describe ways of working that ensure own health and hygiene does not pose a risk to individuals and others.

As an adult care worker, it is my responsibility to make sure that my own health and hygiene does not pose any risk to others at work. In case I am sick I will be accountable for informing my manager instantly so that they can cover my shifts easily. Additionally, in case I have a mental health condition or physical injury then I will need to inform my managers because from which they manage my work accordingly which not pose any risks to others at work. However If I will not inform my manager about my mental and physical health conditions then I am more likely to

make mistakes in the works which put others at risks. I am liable to maintain high level personal hygiene at work by performing hand hygiene and clean clothes properly. Additionally, for my own health and hygiene washing hands regularly after handling and eating foods as well as using toilets is beneficial because it aids in reducing the risk of infection at higher rates.

For ensuring my own health and hygiene which does not pose risks to individuals at work I will need to wear net and clean clothes. For my health and safety wearing clean clothes is helpful for me because it aids in preventing infections, skin problems, boosting mental and physical well-being, reducing irritants and allergens. Apart from this, to make sure my own health and hygiene I can also need to trimmed the nails regularly. Trimming the nails is useful for me because it aids in preventing spreading germs into my mouth and other body openings. Good personal hygiene is pivotal because it assist in stopping the people from getting sick. It also aids in eliminating the individuals from spreading infectious diseases and germs (Bizzoca, Campisi and Lo Muzio, 2020).

References to be listed below (include the date accessed.

Books and journals

• Bost, P., Giladi, A., Liu, Y., Bendjelal, Y., Xu, G., David, E., Blecher-Gonen, R., Cohen, M., Medaglia, C., Li, H. and Deczkowska, A., 2020. Host-viral infection maps reveal signatures of severe COVID-19 patients.Cell,181(7), pp.1475-1488.
• Daniloski, Z., Jordan, T.X., Wessels, H.H., Hoagland, D.A., Kasela, S., Legut, M., Maniatis, S., Mimitou, E.P., Lu, L., Geller, E. and Danziger, O., 2021. Identification of required host factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in human cells.Cell,184(1), pp.92-105.
• Thurner, S., Klimek, P. and Hanel, R., 2020. A network-based explanation of why most COVID-19 infection curves are linear.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,117(37), pp.22684-22689.
• Car, Z., Baressi Šegota, S., Anđelić, N., Lorencin, I. and Mrzljak, V., 2020. Modeling the spread of COVID‐19
• infection using a multilayer perceptron.Computational and mathematical methods in medicine,2020(1), p.5714714.
• Rossman, H., Keshet, A., Shilo, S., Gavrieli, A., Bauman, T., Cohen, O., Shelly, E., Balicer, R., Geiger, B., Dor, Y. and Segal, E., 2020. A framework for identifying regional outbreak and spread of COVID-19 from one-minute population-wide surveys.Nature Medicine,26(5), pp.634-638.
  Antonelli, M., Penfold, R.S., Merino, J., Sudre, C.H., Molteni, E., Berry, S., Canas, L.S., Graham, M.S., Klaser, K., Modat, M. and Murray, B., 2022. Risk factors and disease profile of post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection in UK users of the COVID Symptom Study app: a prospective, community-based, nested, case-control study.The Lancet Infectious Diseases,22(1), pp.43-55.
• Jehi, L., Ji, X., Milinovich, A., Erzurum, S., Rubin, B.P., Gordon, S., Young, J.B. and Kattan, M.W., 2020. Individualizing risk prediction for positive coronavirus disease 2019 testing: results from 11,672 patients.Chest,158(4), pp.1364-1375.
• Jefferson, T., Dooley, L., Ferroni, E., Al-Ansary, L.A., van Driel, M.L., Bawazeer, G.A., Jones, M.A., Hoffmann, T.C., Clark, J., Beller, E.M. and Glasziou, P.P., 2023. Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (1).
• Assadian, O., Harbarth, S., Vos, M., Knobloch, J.K., Asensio, A. and Widmer, A.F., 2021. Practical recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in healthcare institutions: a narrative review.Journal of Hospital Infection,113, pp.104-114.
• Moccia, G., De Caro, F., Pironti, C., Boccia, G., Capunzo, M., Borrelli, A. and Motta, O., 2020. Development and improvement of an effective method for air and surfaces disinfection with ozone gas as a decontaminating agent.Medicina,56(11), p.578.
• Chatterjee, P., 2022. Role of Housekeeping Cleaning Equipment and Agent in the world of Hospitality Industry.International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews,3(8), pp.1642-1646.
• Jin, Y.H., Huang, Q., Wang, Y.Y., Zeng, X.T., Luo, L.S., Pan, Z.Y., Yuan, Y.F., Chen, Z.M., Cheng, Z.S., Huang, X. and Wang, N., 2020. Perceived infection transmission routes, infection control practices, psychosocial changes, and management of COVID-19 infected healthcare workers in a tertiary acute care hospital in Wuhan: a cross-sectional survey.Military Medical Research,7, pp.1-13.
• Bizzoca, M.E., Campisi, G. and Lo Muzio, L., 2020. Covid-19 pandemic: What changes for dentists and oral medicine experts? A narrative review and novel approaches to infection containment.International journal of environmental research and public health,17(11), p.3793.
• Hillier, M.D., 2020. Using effective hand hygiene practice to prevent and control infection.Nurs Stand,35(5), pp.45-
• 50.
• Lotfinejad, N., Peters, A. and Pittet, D., 2020. Hand hygiene and the novel coronavirus pandemic: the role of healthcare workers.The Journal of hospital infection,105(4), p.776.
• Dwipayanti, N.M.U., Lubis, D.S. and Harjana, N.P.A., 2021. Public perception and hand hygiene behavior during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.Frontiers in public health,9, p.621800.
• Nicolaides, C., Avraam, D., Cueto‐Felgueroso, L., González, M.C. and Juanes, R., 2020. Hand‐hygiene mitigation strategies against global disease spreading through the air transportation network.Risk Analysis,40(4), pp.723-740.

Online

Department of health and social care, 2024. Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care. Online. Accessed through:< https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-settings/infection-prevention-and-control-resource-for-adult-social-care>

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