- Published: 08/09/2022
- Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Over the next few months, we will be exploring the CQC key lines of enquiry by each question and sharing resources we think you might find useful.
Is your service safe? How well are people protected by the prevention and control of infection?
Applies to services that administer medicines as part of providing regulated activity.
Questions
S5.1 What are the arrangements for making sure that premises are kept clean and hygienic so that people are protected from infections that could affect both staff and people using services?
S5.2 Do staff understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to infection control and hygiene?
S5.3 Are policies and procedures maintained and followed in line with current relevant national guidance?
S5.4 Where it is part of the service’s role to respond to and help to manage infections, how does the service make sure that it alerts the right external agencies to concerns that affect people’s health and wellbeing?
S5.5 Have all relevant staff completed food hygiene training and are correct procedures in place and followed wherever food is prepared and stored?
Ratings characteristics
- Outstanding
People are protected by a strong, empowering and distinctive approach to safety and a focus on openness, transparency and learning when things go wrong.
- Good
People are protected from avoidable harm and abuse. Legal requirements are met.
The service will always support people to keep themselves and their belongings safe and secure.
- Requires improvement
The service has an inconsistent approach that sometimes puts people’s safety, health or wellbeing at risk. There is an increased risk that people are harmed or there is limited assurance about safety. Regulations may or may not be met.
- Inadequate
A service may have some areas of safe practice, but in general, people are not safe. Normally some regulations are not met.
Potential sources of evidence
People & their carers, friends and relatives:
- Experience of cleanliness of premises and equipment.
- Experience of care being delivered in a clean and safe way.
- Any experience of infection acquired while using the service.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
- Share your experience forms.
- Notifications.
- RIDDOR.
- Coroners Reports.
- Information of concern enquiries.
Organisations
Feedback about:
- Infection-related risks and events are appropriately managed, reported and responded to (HSE/EHO/PHE).
- Food standards agency rating.
Staff
- Awareness of relevant policies, guidance, procedures, standards and responsibilities
and how to appropriately apply in practice. - Experiences of training, support & guidance in practice.
- Staff competence.
- Workload and capacity.
- Access to handwash and infection control facilities, equipment and supplies.
Observation
- Good practice guidance and standards in day to day use.
- Use of PPE and hand washing / gels.
- Access to / supply of infection control PPE, equipment and supplies
Records and policies
- Assessment, care planning, risk assessment, review and outcome records.
- Complaints and compliments.
- Infection control-related induction and training arrangements.
- Cleaning, hygiene, and infection control policies and records.
Does your service need some support with making sure you have the policies, processes, and evidence to respond to the CQC to achieve your desired rating?
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