BNSSG IPC&M Care Provider Bulletin - August 2023

 

The IPC&M Care Provider bulletin is sent out the 1st week of each month by BNSSG ICB,  IPC&M Response Group. If you have any success stories, case studies or want to see specific topics about Infection Prevention Control & Management please contact us by emailing: bnssg.ipcmgovernanceresponsegroup@nhs.net

The New Web-based Care OBRA Tool
Due to its success, this Care OBRA Tool has been developed further to allow care settings to report ARI outbreaks directly online via a new web-based Care OBRA Tool without the need to call or email the HPT first, thus saving valuable time. SW UKHSA are aiming to launch the new web-based Care OBRA Tool in the week commencing 7th August, 2023. Care settings will enter information about their outbreak via a designated webpage.

Aim of the New Care OBRA Tool 
To allow adult social care settings to:
•    Report their outbreaks and single cases of flu without the need to ring or email the HPT beforehand
•    Collect all the relevant information and enter it into an electronic platform at a time that suits them
•    Receive a summary of the data entered in the Care OBRA Tool
•    Receive immediate email advice on how to manage their situation and automatically identify the higher risk situations 

To allow the HPT to: 
•    Identify and prioritise incidents requiring specialist HPT input
•    Focus on interventions that will achieve the greatest public health impact
•    Provide local system partners with timely and accurate information
•    Use time and resources more efficiently.

Want to find out more please click hereto the PowerPoint Slide or here for the South-West Brief 
You can also access further information in the SW Adult Social Care Providers Newsletter

UKHSA ISSUE NOTIFICATION 14 July 2023  

BACILLUS CEREUS CONTAMINATION OF LINEN IN HEALTH AND ADULT SOCIAL CARE SETTINGS

Health Security Agency have been notified of an issue regarding linen provided by large healthcare laundry company which was found during routine monthly testing. To date there has only been one laundry processing site affected, however this site supplies multiple regions of England including a range of providers and residential adult social care settings among others. All affected organisations have already been contacted by the company and supplied with relevant information and alternative linen that has been processed using a different washing method.
 
Above normal levels of a bacteria called, ‘Bacillus cereus’ were found during testing. Bacillus cereus can survive during some types of laundry procedures, with spores surviving on previously contaminated linen. During the warmer summer months, the higher temperatures support the growth of the bacteria. This is not harmful to most people but can pose a low risk for people who are exposed and who are immune compromised exposed individuals, usually appearing as a diarrhoeal illness.

Social care settings that have been notified that their linen supply is affected, follow any further guidance from the contracted company. For settings that have not been notified, this is for awareness only.

Access to the notification and further information can be accessed HERE.

Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting: What’s the Difference?

During a recent event there was some discussion around the differences between Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilisation. There is a common mis-conception in all areas of health, care and the general public that we should disinfect everything all the time, this however is not accurate as cleaning is a pre-requisite to effective disinfection, the importance of cleaning (mechanical or physical removal) is sometime not fully recognised. 

If we consistently overuse disinfection methods & materials then where do we go in terms of enhancing the cleaning to reduce the transmission of the infection especially during outbreaks? Some bugs can become immune to disinfection materials over time, it is therefore important to have a escalation process for cleaning during an outbreak written into the outbreak management policy.

We have outlined below the explanation of each and included some links to further resources

Cleaning:

  • Involves ‘fluid’ – usually detergent and water, and ‘friction’ – the mechanical or physical removal of organic matter including dirt, debris, blood, and bodily fluids.

  • Micro-organisms are removed rather than killed. Effective cleaning leaves a surface or equipment visibly clean.

  • This alone may be enough in foyers, offices, corridors and other ‘low risk’ environments, However disinfection is also needed in many healthcare environments.

Disinfection:

  • Cleaning is a pre-requisite to effective disinfection. Some disinfectants are readily deactivated by organic matter. Process of eliminating or reducing harmful micro-organisms from inanimate objects and surfaces.

Sterilisation:

  • The process of killing all micro-organisms through physical or chemical means. Sterilisation is used only for critical items, i.e. objects or instruments that enter or penetrate sterile tissues, cavities, or the bloodstream.

Decontamination:

  • Cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation are all decontamination processes. In the context of the environment or non-critical equipment (i.e. equipment or devices that are in contact with intact skin only), the term is usually refers to cleaning and disinfection, either using separate cleaning and disinfecting agent in a two-step process, or a ‘2 in 1’ product that cleans & disinfects in one step.

To learn more about this topic click HERE.
When & How to Clean and Disinfect a Facility
Community Infection Prevention and Control Policy for Care Home Settings
Skills for Care Videos 

Sustainability Series

Sustainable social care programme - What is sustainable development?

 'A sustainable development approach to social care means that personalised services are also services which connect people to their communities and to the environment in which they live. Most importantly, it means that care is both responsive to individuals’ present needs and resilient over the longer term, particularly to the effects of climate change.'

Jon Rouse, Director General, Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships, Department of Health.

Want to find out more? CLICK HERE.

 IPC Champions Training - Future Training Events – Save the Date! 

Spread out over three parts, this training is for people who are new to Infection Prevention and Control or those new to or aspiring to a leadership role.
 

No prior experience required.

  • An interactive course with all resources provided. Support with the competency & portfolio building.

  • Contents: Basic Infection Prevention & Control knowledge and practice, the legal framework, Guidance and resource use, the audit process, and mandatory requirements, train the trainer, cleaning, decontamination & sterilisation, introduction to common infections, transmission methods

Part One:

  • Dates: 28 August – 6 September 2023

  • Method: self-directed component

  • Time: approximately 1.5 hours

  • Venue: N/A

Part Two:

  • Dates: 13 September, 20 September, 27 September and 4 October 2023

  • Method: Webinars (attendance required for all)

  • Time: 14:00 – 16:00

  • Venue: MS Teams

Register for 13 September 23 Session HERE

Register for 20 September 23 Session HERE

Register for 27 September 23 Session HERE

Register for 4 October 23 Session HERE


Part Three:

 

Infection, Prevention and Control leads update.

Date: 8 November 2023
Time: TBC
Venue: TBC
Registration: TBC
 
Attendees have a choice of two sessions: Outbreak Management and/or New Emerging and Endemic Infection threats.

Outbreak Management:
Suitable for those in a lead role or who have experience and basic IPC with a desire to further skills or knowledge.

  • Introduction and recap on IPC developments, guidance, and resources

  • An interactive group table-top exercise Outbreak Management the who does what, when and why.

  • Suitable for wider cascade training – train the trainer resources will be provided.

New Emerging and Endemic Infection Threats:
Suitable for those in a lead role or who have experience and basic IPC with a desire to further skills or knowledge.

  • Introduction and recap on IPC developments, guidance, and resources

  • Epidemiology, Vulnerable groups, Infection specific transmission IPC precautions & management

  • Scenarios – preparedness and response rehearsals

 
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