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Infection Prevention and Control Inspections

Scope of this chapter

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is key to keeping the people we support, ourselves, and visitors safe and well. Outbreaks of diseases such as norovirus, MRSA, E. coli, salmonella and coronavirus (Covid-19) can be a danger to all concerned. They can spread quickly across the service and sometimes be life threatening or life altering. 

Infection Prevention and Control is an important element of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (Part 3): Safe Care and Treatment.

This chapter explains how the CQC carries out Infection Prevention and Control inspections and also links to a range of helpful guidance to support the service to meet the regulation.

Relevant Regulations

Related Chapters and Guidance

Amendment

In February 2024 the related chapters and guidance section was updated to include a link to the new Service Assessment (Single Assessment Framework) chapter.

February 1, 2024

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will carry out an Inspection Prevention and Control (IPC) inspection or review as part of all comprehensive service inspections (pre-Single Assessment Framework) and/or whenever they deem it necessary to do so.

The inspector will use a set of specific questions and prompts.

There are 7 questions.

  1. Are all types of visitors prevented from catching and spreading infection?
  2. How are people supported to use and access their environment safely?
  3. Are people admitted into the service safely?
  4. Does the service use PPE effectively to safeguard staff and people using services?
  5. Is there adequate access and take-up of testing for staff and people using services?
  6. Does the layout of premises, use of space and hygiene practice promote safety?
  7. Do staff training, practices and deployment show the service can prevent transmission of infection and/or manage outbreaks?

The prompts and guidance used by inspectors for each of the above questions are all available online.

This includes detailed information about the specific evidence/information that the inspector will be looking for.

See: Infection prevention and control in care homes

Following the inspection, the inspector will answer further questions based on evidence gathered, record their findings and make a judgement about whether they are ‘assured’ or ‘not assured’ that regulation 12 has been met by the service.

The inspector will use a set of specific questions and prompts.

There are 6 questions.

  1. Are people supported to minimise the risk of catching and spreading infection?
  2. Are people supported with safe visits?
  3. Do care staff use PPE effectively to safeguard staff and people using services?
  4. Is there adequate access and take-up of testing for care staff and people using services?
  5. Are people supported to maintain safe levels of hygiene to minimise the risk of infection?
  6. Do staff training, practices and deployment show the provider can prevent transmission of infection and manage outbreaks?

The prompts and guidance used by inspectors for each of the above questions are all available online.

This includes detailed information about the specific evidence/information that the inspector will be looking for.

See: Infection prevention and control in supported living services and extra care housing

Following the inspection, the inspector will answer further questions based on evidence gathered, record their findings and make a judgement about whether they are ‘assured’ or ‘not assured’ that regulation 12 has been met by the service.

The CQC will always try to support the service to access the right support to address any infection prevention and control issues identified.

However, if the CQC deems the issue to be a failure of the service to meet Regulation 12, they can prosecute the registered person if a person using the service has been exposed to a significant risk of harm.

Many local NHS Trusts or ICB’s provide support for care providers to understand and meet the requirements around infection prevention and control. Often there is a designated community nurse able to provide direct support upon request.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

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