Achieving and maintaining high standards of cleanliness is essential in care setting, and it is a statutory requirement in accordance with Health and Social Care Act (2008) – IPC code of practice and related guidance.
It is seen as a sign of the overall quality and safety of the care within the setting, and it contributes to a safe environment. Undertaking a regular infection prevention and control audit will enable you to monitor your IPC environmental and practice standards as part of best practice and can be retained by your setting as part of your CQC evidence.
It is recommended that all health and social care providers undertake a IPC self-audit documenting and reviewing improvement. In addition to the quarterly IPC self-audits ( currently on SAFE) that you are recommended to undertake, the IPC service has produced a rapid self-audit tool that can be used more frequently, and also a quality and safety audit tool.
A series of checklists have also been designed to aid managers with monitoring compliance.