The Health and Social Care Act 2008 states that all registered providers must provide adequate infection prevention and control arrangements. This will ensure residents are cared for in a safe and clean environment where the risks of healthcare associated infections are minimised. 

National Advice

National cleanliness standards are explained in the document below. It dates from 2010, however the guidance is still current. Read this as a starting point and use the links below for detailed explanations. 

• Download the national specifications for cleanliness: Guidance on setting and measuring performance outcomes in care homes
• NICE Helping to prevent infections - a quick guide for managers and staff in care homes

Hand Hygiene

• Hand Hygiene Audit Tool for Care Homes

Clostridium Difficile (CDI):

• CDI How to deal with the problem

• Clostridium difficile care pathway for care homes

Gastroenteritis Outbreaks

For outbreaks in care homes contact CDC team: 0113 3785900    

Out of hours advice:  0114 304 9843  

• Guidlines for the control of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Leeds care homes

• Spotting the signs of dehydration - information leaflet

Influenza Outbreaks

Notify all influenza outbreaks to Public Health England: 0113 3860300   

Out of hours advice: 0114 3049843

• Guidance on outbreaks of Influenza in care homes poster

• Influenza like illnessess in care homes guidlines

Sepsis

• Care homes with nursing sepsis screening and action tool

• Residential care homes sepsis screening and action tool

Legionaires

• Minimising the risk of Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires' disease 

Antimicrobial Resistance

• Antimicrobial Stewardship and Antibiotic Guardianship in care homes

• Antibiotic Guardianship leaflet 

Useful Posters

• Sharps injury and spash incident poster

• Hand hygiene technique poster

• Five moments for hand hygiene poster - bed

• Five moments for hand hygiene poster - chair

• Five moments for hand hygiene poster - urinary catheter

• Colour code cleaning poster 

• Hand decontamination poster 

• Leeds Community Healthcare Urinary Catheter Policy

• Commode cleaning guide

Urinary Catheters

For more information and downloads view our Continence Urology and Colorectal Service

Oral Health

• Oral Health Assessment Tool

Audit Tools

• Mattress audit tool