COMMUNITY CARE TRUST (SOUTH WEST) LTD
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
POLICY No HS008
POLICY STATEMENT
Otherwise known as decontamination, the purpose of this policy is to protect people using the
services, staff and the general public from further transmission of infection and contamination
of the environment.
DEFINTIONS
Decontamination is the elimination of micro-organisms and other material which would
otherwise be transferred to a susceptible site and cause infection.
Cleaning: The process of physically removing a number of viable micro organisms and organic
matter
Disinfection: The process of using heat or chemicals to reduce the number of viable organisms
but is unable to inactive all viruses or spores.
RECOMMENDATIONS
General Environmental Cleaning
In the general areas daily cleaning with a detergent based cleaning fluid is adequate. The
purpose of the cleaning process is to remove any organic matter, dust or debris to reduce the
bacterial load in the environment. The cleaning staff should be involved with this process.
Each service has a cleaning schedule to follow to ensure all areas are thoroughly cleaned on a
regular basis.
CLEANING
Detergent is essential for effective cleaning. It breaks up grease and dirt and improves the
ability of water to remove soil. Organic material such as blood is coagulated by heat or
chemicals and therefore, must be cleaned with detergent and water in addition to disinfection.
Cleaning with a neutral detergent removes many micro-organisms, and in many situations is all
that is required. The majority of these organisms are normal skin flora and spores and are
unlikely to be an infection hazard to people using the services, staff or visitors, unless surfaces
are heavily contaminated with body fluids.
Wet surfaces and equipment are more likely to encourage the growth of micro-organisms and
to spread potential pathogens. Cleaning equipment and used cleaning solutions should be
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removed from food preparation areas as soon as cleaning is completed. Surfaces should be
left as dry as possible following cleaning.
Mops and other equipment should be cleaned, drained and stored dry. Buckets and washbowls
should be single use where possible, changed for each person’s use, and disposed of each day.
All cleaning equipment should be examined at regular intervals and cleaned if soiled. Worn or
damaged equipment should be repaired or replaced. Cleaning solutions should be changed
frequently to prevent the accumulation or multiplication of bacteria.
DISINFECTING
Staff must remember that cleaning is an essential pre-requisite when decontaminating
equipment and must precede disinfection. The routine use of disinfectants is wasteful,
potentially harmful and unnecessary.
Disinfection can be achieved by physical methods such as boiling or pasteurisation. In practice,
the use of chemical disinfectants is more commonly used within the CCT services.
COSHH Regulations and Disinfection
Staff must only use products when a COSHH assessment has been performed using safety data
sheets obtainable from the manufacturer. Personal protective clothing must be worn when
making up and using solutions according to risk to assessment. Ensure exposure limits are
adhered to if applicable. Only use solutions or powders that are within their expiry date. Any
sensitivity or reaction to a disinfectant must be reported.
IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’TS OF DISINFECTION
DO
DON’T
Add the measured amount of disinfectant to
the right amount of water, to make an
effective solution for use.
Use a clean, dry container for the solution.
Wash away any evidence of soils, before
using the disinfectant.
Use fresh solution each day
Remember that if disinfectants are used
carelessly they may promote microbial
growth.
Check expiry dates.
Give adequate time for disinfectant to work.
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Add detergent to a disinfectant; this may
inactivate both.
Store instruments or cleaning tools in a
disinfectant.
Try to disinfect a device that has not been
thoroughly cleaned
Top up yesterday’s solution: make up a fresh
one today.
Use two disinfectants together, unless one
of them is alcohol, which is used as a post
disinfectant rinse, or wipe to assist drying.
Bring in your own disinfectant
Disinfect if cleaning is sufficient.
ADDITIONAL CLEANING
In the event of an outbreak a deep disinfection clean of an area may be requested by the
Infection Control Lead.
In the event of increases in numbers of people with specific infections in one of the live-in
services a daily deep disinfection clean may be requested by the Infection Control Lead.
POLICY MONITORING
The Community Care Trust employ contracted cleaners who are trained to provide a
professional service. The managers of the live-in services are responsible for monitoring the
effectiveness of the cleaning service and reporting to the monthly Governance Committee.
Incidents where non-compliance with this policy are considered to pose an actual or potential
risk to people’s safety must be documented on an incident report form, by the person
witnessing the incident.
Date of last review:
Version number:
Date of next review:
October 2014
02
October 2017
Signature ………………………………….
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