While the novel coronavirus has made infection control more apparent and important than ever, encouraging strong health habits and finding resolutions for controlling disease rates among aged care facilities has always been a top priority across Australia. When the right controls are put in place, staff, residents and visitors are protected from viruses and prepared to respond to common infectious diseases like influenza, as well as COVID-19, as explained by the Australian Government Department of Health.
Infection control in aged care is critical for the safety of residents, staff and visitors, so establishing solid cleaning protocols and executing efficient infection control measures have long been a top focus of Australia's elderly care industry. These procedures, governed by frameworks such as the Aged Care Act of 1997, guarantee that aged care services meet quality and safety standards while protecting against common infectious diseases such as influenza and gastroenteritis.
In this blog, we'll look at the most important aspects of infection control in aged care homes, such as prevalent infections that afflict residents, infection prevention measures, and the importance of tools like Rubbermaid solutions. We'll also talk about how risk management and hand hygiene procedures might reduce infection risks in residential aged care facilities.
So what exactly does infection control in aged care look like?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the common infections that develop among the community living and working within aged care facilities, infection prevention protocol and control programs to consider, and specific Rubbermaid solutions and resources staff in aged care facilities can utilise to encourage good health among residents:
Common Infections in Aged Care Facilities
With age, the immune system changes. Overall health and wellness become more critical than ever. Because of this, aged care settings tend to be a space where infectious diseases catch and spread rather quickly. Infectious diseases that are more typical among these communities include the common cold, the flu and gastroenteritis. According to the Department of Health, seniors and those in aged care living environments are more vulnerable to catching one of these infections, and many of them can be life-threatening or cause something more severe such as dehydration or pneumonia. For these reasons, developing and maintaining protocols for infection control in aged care remains critical.
The immune system changes as people age, increasing their vulnerability to infections. In these situations, maintaining general health and fitness becomes even more critical. Because of the close quarters and frequent interactions between patients and staff, residential aged care facilities, in particular, create situations where illnesses like the common cold, flu, and gastroenteritis can spread quickly.
According to the Department of Health, seniors in aged care facilities are particularly vulnerable to these illnesses, which can progress to serious consequences like pneumonia, dehydration, or even death. Environmental variables, including shared areas and less mobility, further increase these dangers. These factors make proactive measures and effective preventative tactics a top priority for infection control in aged care.
Using risk management strategies that are adapted to the requirements of elderly care residents is essential to effective infection prevention. Examples include:
Early detection systems to identify symptoms of an infectious disease at the onset.
Conducting routine screenings for high-risk residents and staff.
Isolating infected individuals to prevent the spread of infection.
Regularly disinfecting high-contact areas and employing effective hand hygiene practices.
Adopting these strategies can help aged care providers minimise infection risks and ensure compliance with national standards. To learn more about managing infectious diseases in aged care, visit the Australian Government’s guide.
The Aged Care Act of 1997
This act outlines the regulations for how elderly care services deliver respectful, sanitary assistance. It focuses on maintaining cleanliness and managing infections to shelter residents and staff. The legislation covers:
Hygiene and safety: Ensures providers adhere to contamination control protocols to retain amenities spotless and protected. Long-term sustainability depends on vigilance against threats to well-being.
Provider responsibilities: Requires care providers to meet strict expectations for avoiding and halting the dissemination of disease. Vigilance is crucial to sheltering the vulnerable.
Resident protection: Supports residents’ rights to privacy, dignity, and risk-free living situations. However, communities thrive when each member looks out for others.
This Act holds aged care services accountable for constructing wholesome environments for our most vulnerable. More information can be found within the Aged Care Act itself.
Understanding Infection Prevention and Control for Aged Care
Because seniors are an at-risk group, prioritising infection prevention and control within aged care facilities is a must. The flu, for example, is a highly contagious illness that can be passed via droplets with a simple cough or sneeze that would otherwise be considered harmless. Gastroenteritis, also referred to as gastro, leads to symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The Department of Health reported that an outbreak in an aged care facility of both of these infections can start very quickly, even if only a few residents are sick in the first place.
While infection control in aged care is necessary, prevention methods put in place in any setting are needed for the overall health and well-being of society. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infection control is defined as the necessary actions needed to stop the spread of infection among healthcare facilities and other similar settings. When it comes to understanding infection prevention and control basics, the CDC has created two tiers of precautionary measures to consider:
Both tiers of precautions also provide various recommendations based on droplet and airborne precautionary measures.
Staff members of aged care facilities are expected to notify the state health department and then swiftly make moves to manage the infectious disease as it makes its mark on the facility. Increasing hygiene measures (with a major focus on hand hygiene), wearing masks and gloves, and isolating affected residents are major ways to slow the spread. Staff assisting aged care living facilities are also expected to notify residents’ family members and collect specimens to send to the lab to trace the cause of the outbreak in hopes of stopping it.
Taking precautions and monitoring them regularly can ensure cleanliness and reduce the risk of infection spread. Staff members can take these small steps to ensure overall infection prevention and control in aged care.
Risk Management as a Preventive Measure
Risk management is a practical strategy to prevent infections in aged care by identifying possible issues early on and taking action to address them. This method protects residents and staff by lowering the likelihood of outbreaks. Steps include:
Regular risk assessments: Take a tour of the building to find possible areas for infection, like high-touch surfaces or communal areas.
Targeted strategies: Focus your cleaning and disinfection efforts on high-risk spaces including common lounges, dining rooms, and restrooms.
Early detection systems: Employees should be trained to recognise early symptoms of sickness, such as fevers or respiratory symptoms, and to take prompt action to isolate patients who exhibit them.
Routine audits: Ensure that infection control practices are implemented properly, such as hand hygiene and cleaning schedules.
Staff training is critical to make these measures effective. Hands-on training in spotting dangers and responding fast ensures that everyone understands how to avoid infections successfully. By incorporating risk management into daily procedures, aged care facilities may promote a healthier and safer atmosphere.
What Is The Key Hygiene Issue In Residential Aged Care?
Recently, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety released its safety standards and coronavirus precautions. The organisation looked at the quality and safety of residential and in-home aged care for older people and those living with disabilities. In its final report, the Royal Commission highlighted the following as the key concerns of residents in aged care facilities:
Issues related to staff were among the highest concerns. Medical and hygiene-related concerns fall toward the end of the spectrum regarding concern among aged care facility residents, but that doesn’t make the anxiety and worry any less critical. With these statistics in mind, residential aged care facilities should focus on improving hand hygiene and infection prevention while also focusing on other areas that will make residents feel safer and more at ease, especially during a global pandemic.
The Role of IPC Leads in Aged Care
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Leads are essential to keeping senior living facilities clean and safe. They help staff and residents reduce the spread of infectious diseases while ensuring adherence to infection prevention guidelines.
IPC Leads' duties include:
Adapting infection control procedures to the unique requirements of the facility and its residents by offering specialised staff training.
Filling in the gaps and enhancing compliance, conducting routine audits, keeping an eye on infection prevention procedures, and providing constructive criticism.
During outbreaks, serving as the main point of contact, coordinating responses with health authorities to efficiently and quickly control hazards.
Updating infection control protocols, incorporating the most recent guidelines, and encouraging team accountability to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
IPC Leads must prioritise the health of residents and employees while making sure that aged care facilities are prepared to prevent infections by fusing strategic control with hands-on leadership. Check out the IPC Leads Fact Sheet for additional information.
Rubbermaid Products For Infection Prevention in Aged Care Facilities
Beyond providing the utmost care for all residents, aged care facilities have a few specific priorities: preventing the risk of injury, managing a budget and maintaining worker productivity — all while reducing the rapid spread of infections and viruses like COVID-19. RCP Hygen products are specifically designed to support these efforts and can effectively remove the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, too.
With the proper cleaning protocols and tools in place, breaking the chain of infection is simple.
Rubbermaid has designed various aged care solutions to reduce the spread of disease and improve cleaning efficacy while also preventing slips, trips and falls.
Key Takeaways
Our Resource Centre has various resources that can make infection prevention and control easier to manage in aged care facilities. From product assembly instruction to brochures, case studies, safety data sheets and more, there’s a plethora of information facility staff members can access as needed.
Our Aged Care Best Practice Guide and Aged Care Product Recommendations Brochure are excellent resources for learning how RCP can help your facility create and sustain a safe living environment. With our best-in-class spill clean-up products, HYGEN microfibre cloths and BRUTE® Bins and accessories, you can feel confident that your facility prioritises infection control in aged care.
Contact us today to learn more.
