Posted By Paul J Williams If the home is a residential home as oppose to a nursing home then the enforcing authority for H&S is the local authority environmental health dept not HSE. They too should be able to advise on the precautions that should be taken, all the time not just at times of an outbreak. The COSHH Regs are the key piece of legislation here. The local EHO in conjunction with the CCDC should be able to answer your questions with the exception of the financial matters you refer to

Posted By Rod Douglass Hi Ron, Here are some standard Infection Control Practices PERSONAL HYGIENE:WASH and DRY HANDS frequently and effectively – immediately after contact with blood and/or body fluids. If hands are visibly clean but require decontamination prior to a clinical procedure, then an alcoholic hand gel is recommended. Hand cream should be used at the end of each working shift to maintain skin integrity. PERSONAL PROTECTION:WEAR GLOVES when hands are likely to touch moist body substances, mucous membranes or non-intact skin. WEAR A DISPOSABLE PLASTIC APRON if your clothes are likely to become soiled with body substances. Plastic aprons are impervious to moisture and therefore provide a better barrier than cotton gowns. ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE:DOMESTIC CLEANING. For routine cleaning use hot water and detergent wearing suitable protective clothing. BLOOD & BODY FLUID SPILLS must be dealt with as soon as possible, wearing suitable protective clothing. If necessary, an appropriate disinfectant such as hypochlorite (e.g. Presept/HAZ-tabs) can be used to wipe over the contaminated area. Further domestic cleaning then requires no special precautions. ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY:DISCARD USED NEEDLES, SYRINGE UNITS AND OTHER SHARPS immediately after use, uncapped and in recommended puncture proof containers only. DO NOT RESHEATH NEEDLES UNLESS AN APPROVED DEVICE/PROCEDURE IS USED. LINEN. All linen should be handled with care. Linen heavily soiled with blood and/or body fluids should first be placed in laundry bags at the point of use. Do not overfill bags and ensure non-laundry items are not included. In the home, a normal domestic wash is adequate. WASTE. Clinical waste i.e. soiled with body fluids must be placed in yellow tiger striped clinical waste bags or the boxes as per policy. Domestic waste into black bags. Do not overfill bags, close securely and label/tag prior to storage and disposal. CLIENT CARE:MANAGING INCONTINENCE. Gloves should be worn routinely for cleaning incontinent patients. A plastic apron is also needed when changing bed linen. COLOSTOMY/URINE DRAINAGE BAGS. Wear gloves when emptying or changing drainage bags. Change gloves between patients. Ron, this company should have all this documented as an Infection Control Policy if they are reputable and it should be available to all staff to view. Aye Rod

Posted By Paul J Williams I think they are still called CCDCs, well ours never corrects me anyway. But next time I see her I will check