Infection Control Policy

1. Introduction

Carextra Staffing is committed to maintaining high standards of infection control to protect both staff and service users. This policy is designed to provide clear guidance on infection control practices, including hygiene, PPE usage, and COVID-19 safety measures.

2. Purpose & Scope

The purpose of this policy is to outline infection control procedures that ensure the health and safety of staff and clients across all services provided by Carextra Staffing. It applies to all employees, contractors, and staff involved in the delivery of healthcare services.

3. Key Principles of Infection Control

Carextra Staffing follows the key principles of infection control to prevent the spread of infections:

Hand Hygiene: Regular washing of hands and using hand sanitiser.
Use of PPE: Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment for specific tasks.
Cleaning & Disinfection: Regular cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and equipment.
Isolation of Contaminated Areas: Isolating service users showing symptoms of infectious diseases.

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE should be worn at all times where required, including:

Gloves: To protect hands when handling bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
Masks & Respirators: To protect against airborne transmission of infectious agents.
Gowns & Aprons: To protect clothing and prevent contamination.
Face Shields & Goggles: For tasks where there is a risk of splashes or droplets.

Staff must be trained in the proper use and disposal of PPE.

5. Hand Hygiene & Sanitization

Hand hygiene is crucial for infection control. All staff must:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers if soap and water are unavailable.
Clean hands after every patient interaction, using the appropriate technique.
Avoid touching face, mouth, or eyes after handling potentially contaminated surfaces.

6. Cleaning & Disinfection

High-touch areas and shared equipment must be cleaned and disinfected frequently, including:

Door handles, light switches, and handrails.
Medical equipment such as thermometers, stethoscopes, and blood pressure cuffs.
Surfaces in communal areas, including bathrooms, waiting areas, and dining areas.

Use approved disinfectants and ensure they are used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

7. COVID-19 Safety Measures

Carextra Staffing has implemented enhanced safety measures for COVID-19:

Social distancing: Ensure a minimum of 2 metres between individuals where possible.
Masks & PPE: All staff must wear appropriate masks and PPE when caring for individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Testing & Monitoring: Regular COVID-19 testing for staff and service users as per government guidelines.
Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in enclosed areas to reduce airborne transmission.

8. Monitoring & Reporting

To ensure compliance with infection control protocols, Carextra Staffing will:

Conduct regular audits of infection control practices.
Review incident reports and implement corrective actions as necessary.
Maintain records of PPE usage and cleaning/disinfection schedules.

Monitor and report any outbreaks or incidents of infection to relevant authorities.

9. Staff Training & Awareness

All staff will receive training on infection control procedures, including:

Proper hand hygiene practices.
Safe and correct use of PPE.
Disinfection and cleaning protocols.
COVID-19 safety measures.

Refresher courses will be conducted annually, and any new risks or updates to procedures will be

communicated to staff immediately.

10. Policy Review & Updates

This Infection Control Policy will be reviewed annually and updated based on:

Changes to UK government guidance or NHS protocols.
Feedback from staff and incident reports.
Emerging risks related to new infectious diseases or variants.

All updates to this policy will be communicated to all staff, and training will be provided as necessary.