Infection Control Measures in Care Homes

Infections spread rapidly in communal settings, and care home residents are particularly vulnerable due to age, underlying health conditions, and weakened immune systems. Robust infection control isn’t just good practice – it’s essential for protecting residents, staff, and visitors.

Quality care homes with comprehensive infection control programmes can reduce infection rates by up to 70%. When choosing a care home, understanding their infection control measures should be a top priority.

Why Infection Control Matters in Care Homes

Care home residents are up to three times more likely to develop infections than older people living at home. Common infections include:

• Respiratory infections (flu, pneumonia, COVID-19)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Skin and wound infections
• Norovirus and other gastric bugs
• MRSA and C. difficile

Without proper control measures, these infections spread quickly, lead to hospitalisations, and can be life-threatening for vulnerable residents.

Key Infection Control Measures

1. Hand Hygiene: The First Line of Defence

Proper hand washing prevents up to 50% of infections. Quality care homes ensure:

• Hand sanitiser stations at every entrance and throughout the building
• Sinks in every room with soap and paper towels
• Staff wash hands before and after every resident contact
• Alcohol-based hand gel readily available
• Regular hand hygiene training and audits
• Visible reminders and posters about hand washing technique

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Staff should use appropriate PPE for different situations:

• Disposable gloves for personal care tasks
• Aprons for tasks involving bodily fluids
• Face masks when required (respiratory infections, outbreaks)
• Eye protection for high-risk procedures
• Proper donning and doffing procedures to prevent contamination
• Adequate PPE stock levels maintained at all times

3. Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection

A clean environment is fundamental to infection prevention:

• Daily cleaning of all resident areas
• Enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces (door handles, handrails, light switches)
• Hospital-grade disinfectants used appropriately
• Deep cleaning protocols for infection outbreaks
• Regular steam cleaning of soft furnishings
• Colour-coded cleaning equipment to prevent cross-contamination
• Documented cleaning schedules and checklists

4. Isolation Procedures

When infections occur, swift action prevents spread:

• Single rooms available for isolating infectious residents
• Clear signage on isolation room doors
• Dedicated equipment for isolated residents
• Staff trained in barrier nursing techniques
• Strict protocols for entering and leaving isolation rooms
• Regular monitoring of isolated residents’ wellbeing

5. Vaccination Programmes

Vaccination significantly reduces infection risk:

• Annual flu vaccinations for residents and staff
• COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters
• Pneumonia vaccines for eligible residents
• Shingles vaccinations where appropriate
• Record-keeping of vaccination status
• Working with NHS to ensure timely vaccine delivery

6. Visitor Management

Balanced visitor policies protect residents whilst maintaining family contact:

• Hand hygiene requirements for all visitors
• Health screening questions at entry
• Restrictions during outbreak situations
• Designated visiting areas when appropriate
• Clear communication about infection control expectations
• Virtual visiting options when face-to-face isn’t possible

Understanding visitor policies is particularly important when considering respite care services or exploring what residential care involves.

7. Food Safety and Kitchen Hygiene

Foodborne illness is a serious risk:

• Temperature monitoring of stored and served food
• Separate preparation areas for raw and cooked foods
• Staff trained in food hygiene
• Regular deep cleaning of kitchen areas
• Proper storage and labelling of food
• Special diets managed safely
• Regular environmental health inspections

8. Laundry and Linen Management

Proper laundry procedures prevent infection spread:

• Soiled linen handled with care and minimal contact
• Separate washing for heavily soiled items
• High-temperature washing cycles
• Clean linen stored hygienically
• Regular replacement of worn items
• Staff trained in safe handling procedures

9. Waste Management

Safe waste disposal is crucial:

• Clinical waste disposed of according to regulations
• Sharps bins available and regularly replaced
• Separate bins for different waste types
• Regular waste collection schedules
• Staff trained in waste segregation
• Proper pest control measures

10. Water Safety and Legionella Prevention

Water systems require careful management:

• Regular temperature checks of water systems
• Legionella risk assessments
• Descaling and cleaning of showerheads
• Flushing of little-used outlets
• Water testing programmes
• Maintenance records kept

Staff Training and Competency

Well-trained staff are essential for effective infection control. Quality care homes provide:

• Comprehensive induction training on infection control
• Regular refresher training and updates
• Competency assessments
• Specialist training for dementia care staff on gentle infection control
• Training on specific infections (COVID-19, norovirus, etc.)
• Access to infection control champions or link nurses

When researching care homes in Lancashire, Merseyside, or Cumbria, ask about staff training programmes and infection control qualifications.

Surveillance and Monitoring

Proactive monitoring catches infections early:

• Daily health checks for all residents
• Temperature and vital signs monitoring
• Recording and investigating symptoms
• Tracking infection rates and trends
• Reporting notifiable diseases to Public Health England
• Regular audits of infection control practices
• Learning from incidents to improve procedures

Antibiotic Stewardship

Responsible antibiotic use prevents resistance:

• Prescribing antibiotics only when necessary
• Completing full courses as prescribed
• Regular medication reviews
• Urine samples tested before treating presumed UTIs
• Working with GPs on antibiotic guidelines
• Monitoring for antibiotic-resistant infections

Outbreak Management

When outbreaks occur, rapid response is critical:

• Immediate identification and isolation of affected residents
• Enhanced cleaning protocols activated
• Restriction of resident movement within the home
• Possible suspension of new admissions
• Staff reassignment to prevent spread
• Communication with families and health authorities
• Daily situation reports
• Clear end-of-outbreak criteria

Infection Control for Specific Conditions

Dementia Care

Infection control in dementia care presents unique challenges:

• Residents may remove masks or resist hand hygiene
• Gentle redirection rather than confrontation
• Creative solutions like hand washing songs
• Additional staff supervision during outbreaks
• Balancing infection control with dignity and wellbeing

Families considering when someone with dementia should go into a care home should discuss infection control approaches with potential homes.

Respiratory Care

For residents with respiratory conditions:

• Proper ventilation in all areas
• Air purifiers where appropriate
• Regular physiotherapy to clear secretions
• Prompt treatment of respiratory symptoms
• Flu vaccination particularly important

What to Look for When Visiting Care Homes

During your visit, observe:

• Are hand sanitiser stations visible and well-stocked?
• Do staff wash hands between residents?
• Is the home clean and fresh-smelling?
• Are cleaning schedules displayed?
• Is PPE readily available to staff?
• How do staff handle laundry and waste?
• What’s the home’s CQC rating for safety and cleanliness?

These observations matter whether you’re looking at The Millfield, Elmtree House, The Willows, or Keswick Care Home.

Questions to Ask Care Homes

Don’t be shy about asking detailed questions:

• What’s your infection rate compared to similar homes?
• How do you monitor for infections?
• What happens during an outbreak?
• How do you train staff in infection control?
• What’s your hand hygiene audit compliance rate?
• How do you balance infection control with resident dignity?
• Can I see your latest CQC inspection report?
• What’s your policy on visitors during infection outbreaks?
• How do you communicate with families about infections?
• What’s your COVID-19 prevention strategy?

The Role of Families

Families play an important part in infection control:

• Stay away if you’re unwell
• Practice good hand hygiene when visiting
• Follow the home’s visitor guidelines
• Report any concerns about cleanliness promptly
• Ensure your loved one’s personal items are clean
• Support vaccination programmes
• Understand that visiting restrictions during outbreaks protect residents

CQC Standards and Regulations

Care homes must meet CQC standards for infection prevention and control:

• Regular inspections assess infection control measures
• Homes must have infection control policies and procedures
• Staff competency must be demonstrated
• Infection rates must be monitored and reported
• Serious outbreaks must be notified to CQC
• Poor infection control can result in enforcement action

Check CQC ratings when researching the best care homes in Merseyside, Lancashire, or Cumbria.

The Benefits of Robust Infection Control

Effective infection control delivers significant benefits:

• Fewer infections mean fewer hospitalisations
• Better quality of life for residents
• Reduced antibiotic use
• Lower mortality rates
• More time for activities and socialisation
• Peace of mind for families
• Better staff morale and retention

Understanding the benefits of residential care includes recognising the professional infection control that’s difficult to achieve at home.

When Home Is No Longer Safe

Recognising when it’s time for a care home often involves infection concerns:

• Repeated infections at home
• Poor hygiene or nutrition
• Inability to maintain a clean environment
• Missed medications or appointments
• Social isolation affecting immune health

Professional care provides structure, monitoring, and prevention that reduces infection risk.

Take Action to Protect Your Loved One

Infection control should never be an afterthought. If you’re concerned about your loved one’s vulnerability to infections, or if you’re comparing care homes, infection control measures should be thoroughly investigated.

Want to see our infection control measures first-hand? Contact us to arrange a visit. We’ll show you our facilities, introduce you to our infection control lead, and answer all your questions.