Infection Control Guidance
Lead Person/Committee
Review Time/approval
Date of Review
Next Review Date
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LC / H&S&P
2 Yearly
June 2014
June 2016
INFECTION CONTROL POLICY
Introduction
Awareness and implementation of infection control practice is the key to preventing the
spread of infection. The aim of this policy is to encourage and support good practice to
protect ourselves and protect the pupils in our care.
This policy sets out guidelines for infection control in the following areas:1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hand Washing
Basic Food Hygiene
Personal / Intimate Care Hygiene
Clinical Waste Disposal
Infectious Illness / Medical Conditions
1. Hand Washing
Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection and hand
washing should be regarded as part of the normal duty of care.
There are three stages of effective hand washing:
Preparation – wet hands under running water before applying liquid, preferably antibacterial
soap.
Washing and rinsing – The hand washing solution (soap) must come into contact with all
surfaces of the hands, under the nails and rings. Rub hands together vigorously for a
minimum of 10 -15 seconds paying particular attention to the tips of the fingers, the thumbs
and the areas between the fingers. Remember to include the backs of the hands. Rinse your
hands thoroughly.
Drying - Dry your hands thoroughly preferably with paper towels. Germs are more easily
transferred from wet hands.

We are also recommending the combined use of an alcohol – based hand gel.

Apply gel in small amounts after hand washing making sure the solution comes into
contact with all surfaces of the hands and is rubbed until the solution has evaporated
and the hands are dry. It should be noted that hand gel is only a back up to hand
washing and that the gel is not effective against clostridium difficile.

As unbroken skin forms a natural barrier against infection all areas of broken skin must
be covered with the appropriate dressings. Bites or scratches caused by pupils that
break the skin are particularly vulnerable to infection so should be cleaned and
covered as soon as possible after the event. Dispose of used plasters or dressings in the
appropriate clinical waste yellow bag.
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
Avoid wearing artificial fingernails when caring for our pupils and keep natural nail tips
less than ¼- inch long. Nails should be clean and rounded to avoid injury to our pupils.
Nail brushes will be supplied as required

Disposable gloves and aprons are used to protect both staff and pupils from the risks
of cross infection; both are supplied and are there to be used as required.
Use of gloves

Disposable gloves are available for use in all changing areas. They are not a
replacement for hand washing. If you finish a box please replace it ready for use by
the next person.

Disposable gloves are single use items. Change your gloves between the cares of
individual pupils.

Remove and dispose of gloves as clinical waste, (yellow bag), and then Wash your
hands.

Disposable plastic aprons are available and should be worn as single use items where
there is risk of exposure to blood, body fluids and excretions. Used aprons are also
discarded as clinical waste, (yellow bag).
Use of hand sanitising gel

Hand sanitising gel is available as a back up to hand washing in all class bases. This
must be kept in a secure location as it would present a hazard to anyone inhaling or
swallowing it.

There is also hand a gel dispenser located at both main entrances to the school for all
visitors to use.
2. Basic Food Hygiene
It is a legal requirement that all staff involved in the preparation or handling of food must be
trained, supervised or instructed to a level sufficient to enable them to prepare food safely.

All staff should be familiar with normal precautions for avoiding the spread of infection
and must follow basic hygiene procedures including appropriate hand washing and
regular cleaning of work areas and equipment.

Basic food hygiene training is offered to all levels of staff to raise awareness and to
establish an understanding of basic principles and good practice in Montacute
school staff.

As with staff, pupils must be encouraged to always wash their hands after using the
toilet, before eating or handling food or whenever the hands are visibly dirty.
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
Please refer to lunchtime guidelines and procedure for lunchtime cleaning as
displayed in the hall and staff handbook.

Blue paper roll is available for removing spilled food from table surfaces and food safe
disinfectant wipes to ensure ultimate cleanliness.

Staff leading or closely supporting pupils in food technology sessions should not be
involved in assisting personal care in toilet areas prior to or during the session on that
day.

All staff and students must wear protective tabards or aprons throughout all food
preparation activities. Those aprons should be reserved for that purpose only and
laundered each time they are used.

All staff and students handling of food to be consumed by others should wear
aprons/tabards and blue disposable catering gloves, (e.g. for coffee mornings, cakes
stalls and refreshments at open evenings etc.).

No person offering food for sale or donation should handle money and handle food
without washing hands or changing disposable gloves between each transaction.
(Better to have separate personnel for each task with the food handler wearing
gloves).
3. Personal / Intimate Care Hygiene
Personal care is the care that most people usually carry out for themselves but some of our
pupils are unable to do so due to the nature of their disability. Personal care is to be
attended to in a sensitive and matter of fact manner that protects the dignity of the pupils
concerned. Staff will be supported and appropriately trained so that they are confident in
their practice. Teaching about appropriate touch should be emphasised and modelled in
positive interactions between adults and pupils

Encourage independence and allow the pupil to care for him / herself as far as
possible, including cleaning themselves up after eating.

Be aware of the individual moving and handling risk assessments and usual toileting
routine for the pupil. Ensure privacy appropriate to the pupil’s age and situation, but
do not lock yourself in a cubical when alone with a pupil for safety / child protection
reasons.

Encourage the pupils to always wash their hands after using the toilet.
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Intimate / Continence Care:

Use the appropriate toilet area and / or changing bed

Use gloves / apron as required – dispose of these in the clinical waste bins (yellow
bags).

Use either wet / dry maceratable wipes to clean the skin. Skin cleansing foam spray is
available and this does not need rinsing from the skin.

Dispose of the used pads as described below in section 4. Do not put them on the
floor. Buckets, with lids, are provided to transport them to a place for disposal.

Sanitary protection that has been used is to be discarded in the (PHS) sanitary bins
provided in the female toilets. Incontinence Pads used during a pupil’s menstrual
cycle are to be macerated or disposed of as clinical waste.

Please ensure that the changing beds / commodes are cleaned after use with the
spray provided and the area is left clean and tidy.
N.B. When supplies run out, please replace them for the next person to use.
Volunteers and students on work experience/placement, (unless student nurses), should not
assist with pupils’ intimate care or be left unsupervised with pupils during intimate care
situations.
4. Clinical Waste Disposal
Macerator system

All incontinence pads should be macerated wherever possible.

There are two macerators in school, located in the laundry room in upper school and
one in the primary 1 & 2 toilet areas in lower school.

All pads should be conveyed to the macerator in a lidded bucket provided for the
purpose. They should never be carried uncovered in the corridor or anywhere outside
any of the toilet areas.

All staff must be trained in the school protocols before using either of the macerators
and be familiar with the operating and safety guidelines.

No pupils will ever operate a macerator or be left in a room where one is located
unsupervised. The doors to both macerator rooms must be locked at all times when
the rooms are unoccupied.
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
Incontinence pads and macerator friendly wipes only are to be put through the
macerator, rubber gloves, Velcro tabs and elasticised pull-ups are not macerator
friendly and should be disposed of in the grey bin next to each machine.

The yellow bin liners containing the non-macerated material should be tied and
placed in the wheelie bin provided near the front entrance, each Friday, or before if
necessary. A regular collection by PHS is made to dispose of this.
First aid/medical generated clinical waste

Products which have been used for wound cleaning and are contaminated with
blood / body fluids may be disposed of in any bin containing a yellow clinical waste
bag.

Clinical waste bins are located in pupil toilets, macerator rooms and in the medical
support base. These bins are emptied on a regular basis by school staff.
5. Infectious Illness / Medical Conditions
The school population includes some pupils who, by the nature of their medical condition,
are more vulnerable to the impact of an acquired infection. It is important that all staff be
aware of normal infection control precautions and basic hygiene procedures to ensure that
they, and others, are not put at risk. In dealing with potential infectious illnesses / conditions
we follow the advice of the School Medical Officer and Dorset Health Authority Guidelines
on communicable diseases.

Members of staff and pupils who have symptoms of an infectious condition need to
stay away from school until the risk of transmission of the illness has diminished. Parents
are asked not to send pupils into school if they are unwell. The school reserves the right
to send pupils who are poorly home if they feel it appropriate to do so.

Pupils who have flu like symptoms or heavy colds should remain at home until they are
well enough to take a full part in their school day.

If a pupil becomes unwell at school decisions to send them home should be made in
consultation with the medical support team.

Members of staff and pupils who have symptoms of Diarrhoea and /or Vomiting
should remain off school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours and should
not swim for a period of up to two weeks after the last episode.
School staff will always be mindful of pupils known to have medical conditions which
may cause similar symptoms.
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
Coughing, sneezing and spitting spread infections easily. Pupils and adults should be
encouraged to cover their mouth and nose, use tissues and wash hands as
appropriate.

For incidents involving body fluid spillages, (e.g. vomiting/diarrhoea), which require
immediate clearing there are yellow “grab bags” in MSB, the stage cupboard, Lionel’s
anti-room and the lower school toilet area, containing basic materials to deal with the
immediate aftermath. The resulting debris can then be disposed of as clinical waste
and the area disinfected.

All dirty laundry or soiled linen should be handled with care and attention paid to the
potential spread of infection. Gloves, soap and gel are available for use in the
laundry. Clothing contaminated by body fluids or faeces should be machine rinsed
and hot washed separately or bagged to go home.

Pupils individual Immunisation programmes are the responsibility of their parents.

30% of the population are believed to be carriers of the Hepatitis B virus. Because of
the close proximity of staff and pupils in the special school environment, the
transmission of Hepatitis B between pupils and staff is potentially more likely, therefore
it is advised that staff should consult their GP for immunisation advice. (Alternatively a
course of injections can be arranged with the Occupational Health Nursing Service in
Boscombe).

With regard to Tetanus – staff are at no greater risk of contracting this at Montacute
School than elsewhere.
Policy Review
Staff Teams are encouraged to regularly review and feedback on any issues concerning
infection control to medical support staff so that any appropriate new measures can be
instigated.
Refs:
Montacute School Staff Handbook.
Dorset Health Authority Information Leaflets on Communicable Diseases.
Health Protection Agency Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other Child Care
Settings.
SOEID publication “Helping Hands”
Mont2000/curric asst/non-curriculum policies
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