Cleaners have a vital part to play in infection control
October 1st 2004

Companies that are able to show that staff have a high level of understanding of infection control procedures through accredited training have a better chance to win healthcare contracts claims Protocol Training

As the MRSA epidemic sweeps across Britain, bringing 100 000 cases a year, and a number of resulting fatalities, unsurprisingly healthcare and government officials have pushed Infection Control to the top of the agenda. Indeed the statistics on infections in hospital make worrying reading. According to Winning Ways*, a report issued by the Chief Medical Officer, 9% of hospital patients have an infection that they would not have had they not been in hospital. The NHS spends as much as £1bn each year to treat such infections, with GPs racking up an extra £55m to treat patients for their infections once they have left hospitals.

Over the years, the reduction in staffing levels across the board has undoubtedly led to corners being cut in some instances, which in turn has seen a change in routine. This has resulted in some establishments currently operating in an almost ‘haphazard’way due to a lack of staff and money.

In the past, say 20 years ago, there would have been a designated cleaning team, viewed as part of the nursing team and playing a crucial role in minimising the risk of infection.Nowadays the routine that is in place for patient protection is less strict.

While many healthcare establishments are training up their own medical staff in Infection Control, there is an equal need to ensure all contractors working in health environments are equally knowledgeable. Contract cleaners play a vital role in ensuring stringent guidelines are met, as recognised by the new Matron’s Charter.

Companies that can demonstrate a high level of understanding through accredited training have a real opportunity to rise above the competition in landing lucrative contracts and contributing to the improvement of our environment.

Protocol Training is the leading provider of work-based funded vocational solutions. Last year they supported 10 000 learners, achieving their Distance Learning Certificate in Infection Control. The course covers four basic units including: preparation for work in a healthcare environment; maintaining your own knowledge of infection risks in a healthcare environment, minimising infection in a healthcare environment and minimising cross-infection between work areas.

Cleaners prove competence in personal hygiene preparation and clothing precautions; recognising infections and identifying risks; safe use of equipment and chemicals and understanding guidelines and procedures.

From mid November a new VRQ in infection control will also be available from Protocol Training.

This workbook, entitled Certificate in the Control of Infection and Contamination,will assist learners to identify and minimise potential infection risk in the workplace.The benefit of this VRQ is that learners do not need to leave the workplace to be assessed.

“We believe that health and hygiene are so important in today’s environment, that not only should nurses and doctors have a deep understanding of the risks and factors causing infection, but the support staff also have a right and a need to be trained. Our Infection Control and Support Services courses are extremely effective and have helped thousands of hospital workers to improve their skills,” said Dan Wright,Managing Director of Protocol Training.

In addition to the Distance Learning workbook, Protocol also recently launched their NVQ Level 2 Support Services in Healthcare workbook.

It is aimed at support staff in a healthcare environment including cleaners, porters, housekeepers, and security, postal, catering and administration staff.This NVQ features mandatory units including: • fostering equality, diversity and rights • contributing to the effectiveness of work teams, • promoting,monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security in the workplace, and • giving customers a positive impression of yourself and your organisation.

The workbook also contains a selection of optional units pertinent to the learners’ job role.The learner will choose four of these optional units with guidance from their personal tutor.

Protocol Training courses are government funded by the Learning and Skills Council (meaning no cost to employers) and are completed in the workplace through accredited workbooks, with the support of a tutor from one of 58 local further education colleges around the UK.

Other relevant courses for cleaners from Protocol Training include the NVQs Level 1 and 2 in Cleaning and Support Services.

For further information,employers should use the enquiry bar: