Bulletin #2 – Infection Prevention and Control
Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) theme focus is the first Quality and Safety theme of our series of nine themes between now and our onsite Accreditation survey October 22 – 25, 2018.
This theme focuses on reducing the risk of health care associated infections and their impact across the care continuum. Specifically, it covers hand hygiene training and compliance, infection rates and guidelines, influenza and pneumonia vaccines and our processes for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices and equipment.
Within the IP&C there are four ROPs (Required Organizational Practices) that must be met to successfully complete Accreditation.
The 4 Infection Prevention and Control ROPs are:
- Hand hygiene education and training – Delivers hand hygiene education and training for staff, service providers, and volunteers. We also need to include residents/clients and visitors in our hand hygiene education.
- Hand hygiene audit – Evaluates compliance with accepted hand hygiene practices.
- Process for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices and equipment are monitored and improvements are made when needed.
- Infection rates – Health care-associated infection are tracked, information is analyzed to identify outbreaks and trends, and this information is shared throughout the organization.
Washing of hands with soap under running water.
Infection Prevention and Control Fact Sheet
At Menno Place we adhere to a number of organization wide policies, Ministry of Health and health authority guidelines that address infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene policies and practices, administration of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, and processes for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices and equipment.
How will the Infection Prevention and Control ROPs be evaluated?
Surveyors will tour our Homes and will follow tests of compliance for each ROP. Specifically, surveyors will gather information by:
- Reviewing resident health records
- Reviewing employee files
- Talking and listening to leaders, physicians, staff, students, volunteers, residents/tenants and visitors
- Observing what takes place
- Recording what they read, see and hear
Who needs to be aware of the Infection Prevention and Control ROPs?
Surveyors will meet randomly with staff, residents/tenants and visitors while they do their “tracers”. Everyone should be aware of all of the Quality and Safety themes and their associated ROPs and priority topics. If you are asked a question on an unfamiliar topic, please refer the surveyor to the appropriate individual or to your supervisor.
What are some sample questions that surveyors may ask about the Infection Prevention and Control theme?
- How do you get regular information about infection control issues?
- Do you know about the infection rates within your facility?
- Do you know where the hand hygiene audit results are posted?
- How easy was it for you to get your flu shot at work?
- What would you do if you suspected a co-worker or resident/tenant had an infectious disease?
- Do you have a system in place for cleaning and reprocessing resident care equipment such as tubs, suction machines, suture kits, etc.?
Who is on your Infection Prevention & Control Committee (IPCC)?
Kim C, (Chair), Leanne T, Angela R-F, Joanne S, Trish G, Lada K, Annette F, Brenda N.
