Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

Standard: The environment should be clean, free from dust, dirt and body fluid stains and spillages

• This audit tool should be completed weekly by the Manager or Lead person for Infection Prevention and Control

• In the event of non-compliance, action plans should be produced and reviewed regularly

• Completed audit tools should be kept locally for good practice assurance and as evidence for Care Inspcetorate inspections

• Audit completed by

• Premises audited

Contents

• Job title

• Date

  Date

Page

1. Overview of the environment

2. Bathrooms/showers

3. Bedrooms

• 4. Cleaner’s room

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5. Clinical room/clean utility

  Yes

  No

  N/A

6. Dining room

7. Kitchen areas

8. Hairdressing room

9. Laundry room

10. Linen store room/cupboard

11. Lounge, sitting areas, halls/corridors

12. Sensory room

• 13. Sluice/dirty utility

  Yes

  No

  N/A

14. Toilets, including en-suites

• References

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes Version 2.00

Page 1 of 11

• 1. (Please circle the answer)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The floor is in good doors

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NA s

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NA i

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments d

NA e

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 2 of 11 c

• 1. (Please circle the answer)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fixtures and fittings, e.g. condition and clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Furniture, including condition and clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• (check under cushions and foot stools)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A foot operated lidded inside and out

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NA s

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NA i

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NA d

  Yes

  No

  N/A

NA e

• After completing the above ‘Overview of the environment’, please complete the additional questions below

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 3 of 11

Environment

2. Bathrooms/shower rooms

• State which bathrooms/shower rooms checked:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is a facility for offensive waste, e.g. continence pads, disposal

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Access to the handwash basin is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sanitary ware and fittings are in good condition, clean and free from lime scale and stains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Shower curtains are clean and free from mould and are included on the cleaning schedule

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cleaning products are available (not stored in the bathroom) for staff to use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The areas are free from inappropriate storage, e.g. hoists, slings, towels, excess stocks of gloves, bags

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3. Bedrooms

• State which bedrooms checked:

• Bed frames are in good condition, clean and free from dust and soiling, e.g. body fluid stains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The room is free from offensive odour, e.g. urine

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hand hygiene facilities are available for residents to clean their hands prior to meals/snacks (skin wipes are an acceptable alternative to hand washing facilities)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 4 of 11

Environment

• Access to the handwash basin is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4. Cleaner’s room

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A cleaner’s/domestic’s room is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A laminated ‘Hand hygiene technique for staff’ poster is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Access to the handwash basin is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A dedicated bucket sink (stand alone or part of a space saving janitorial unit) is available, in good condition and clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A laminated poster identifying the ‘National colour coding for cleaning materials’ is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cleaning equipment is colour coded in accordance with National guidance

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cleaning and nursing staff can describe the National colour coding for cleaning materials and equipment:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• RED for bathrooms, washrooms, showers, toilets, basins and bathroom floors

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• BLUE for general areas including lounges, offices, corridors and bedrooms

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• GREEN for kitchen areas including satellite kitchen areas and food storage areas

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• YELLOW for bedrooms when someone has an infection and is cared for in their own room (isolated)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 10. A cleaning schedule is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 11. Cleaning products comply with ‘Safe management of the care environment Policy’, e.g. pH neutral detergent,

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Milton

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 12. PPE is available; colour coded, e.g. aprons in red, blue, green and yellow

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 13. Disposable cloths are disposed of daily and when visibly soiled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 5 of 11

Environment

• 14. Disposable cloths are used in a resident’s room when they are isolated due to a suspected or known infection, e.g. Clostridioides difficile or viral gastroenteritis, and disposed of as infectious waste after each use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 15. Used mops are thoroughly rinsed in clean warm water after use, excess moisture removed and stored with the head uppermost with the use of wall mounted clips

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 16. Disposable mop heads are disposed of daily and whenever grossly soiled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 17. Disposable mop heads used in a resident’s room when they are isolated due to a suspected or known infection, e.g. Clostridioides difficile, viral gastroenteritis, are disposed of as infectious waste after each use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 18. Reusable mop heads are laundered daily and when visibly soiled, at the highest temperature the mop head will withstand

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 19. Reusable mop heads are replaced regularly depending on the frequency of use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 21. Mop buckets should be cleaned after use, dried with paper towels, then disinfected and dried with paper towels, or stored inverted (upside down) to air dry

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 22. Buckets are clean and free from dirt/grime

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 23. Domestic gloves are washed after use with pH neutral detergent and warm water

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5. Clinical room/clean utility

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A clinical room/clean utility room is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A laminated ‘Hand hygiene technique for staff’ poster is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Access to the handwash basin is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 6 of 11

Environment

• There is appropriate storage of sterile/clean items, e.g. off the floor in a dust free environment (cupboard/ wipeable lidded container)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

6. Dining room

• Table cloths and table mats are clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cutlery is clean with no dried on food

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Condiment containers, e.g. salt and pepper pots, vinegar bottles, sauce bottles, are in good condition and clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cupboards and cutlery drawers/container are clean and free from dust and debris

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hand hygiene facilities are available for residents to clean their hands prior to meals/snacks (skin wipes are an acceptable alternative to hand washing facilities)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

7. Kitchen areas

• All appliances, work surfaces, sink, taps, are in a good condition, clean and free from food and beverage stains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cupboards and cutlery drawers/container are clean and free from dust and debris

  Yes

  No

  N/A

8. Hairdressing room

• Hair wash basin is in good condition and clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Access to the handwash basin in clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The chair is clean and in good condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Clean towels are stored separate from used towels

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 7 of 11

Environment

9. Laundry room

• The hair dressing trolley is clean and free from dust and hair

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is a dedicated laundry room, e.g. the room is not used for any other function

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Machines (including dispensers) are in good condition and clean, e.g. free from dirt, dust, mould and spilt or congealed washing power/liquid

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A laminated ‘Hand hygiene technique for staff’ poster is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Access to the handwash basin is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Only commercial washing machines and tumble driers are in use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is documented evidence linen is washed at 65oC for not less than 10 minutes or 71oC for not less than 3 minutes

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Laundry staff wear appropriate PPE, e.g. gloves and apron, when handling all used, soiled, fouled and infected linen

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Laundry waiting to be laundered is correctly segregated in the appropriate colour bags

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Used, soiled and fouled linen in a white bag

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Infected linen in a soluble bag placed inside a red bag

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 12. Used and clean linen are kept separate in the laundry room during the washing and drying process

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 13. Clean linen, e.g. residents clothing, is not stored in the laundry room

  Yes

  No

  N/A

10. Linen store room/cupboard

• A linen store room/cupboard is available (this should be separate from the laundry room, clean linen should not be stored in a laundry room)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The room/cupboard is free from inappropriate items, e.g. fans, Christmas decorations, equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 8 of 11

Environment

• Linen is stored on shelving and above floor level

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Shelving is impervious and in a good state of repair

  Yes

  No

  N/A

11. Lounge, sitting areas, halls/corridors

• Corridors/hallways are free from clutter and inappropriate items, e.g. waste bins

  Yes

  No

  N/A

12. Sensory room

• Soft furnishings are clean, e.g. cushions, fidget handheld fabric items, and washed on at least a weekly basis and when visibly soiled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hard surface objects are clean and cleaned (and disinfected when necessary) on at least a weekly basis and when visibly soiled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Items of sensory light therapy, e.g. bubble tubes, are cleaned and disinfected as per manufacturer’s instructions

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sensory equipment should be stored in smooth wipeable lidded containers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Staff ensure resident’s hands are cleaned before using the sensory room

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 13. Sluice/dirty utility

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A dirty utility/sluice is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The room is free from inappropriate items and clutter, e.g. unused equipment, medical equipment that has been cleaned/decontaminated, general equipment storage

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The room is free from clean or sterile items, e.g. resident wash bowls, combs, razors

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A laminated ‘Hand hygiene technique for staff’ poster is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Access to the handwash basin is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 9 of 11

Environment

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A dedicated sink is available for decontamination of equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A bed pan washer/disinfector or macerator is available and is in good condition and working order. If not available, a Commode pan cleaning poster is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 10. A slop hopper, if available, is clean and in working order

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 11. A commode cleaning poster is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 12. Sanitary ware and fittings are in good condition, clean and free from lime scale and stains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 13. Commode pans and urinals are in good condition, e.g. no evidence of cracking, scoring or staining

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 14. pH neutral detergent, disinfectant wipes and disinfectants, e.g. Milton, are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 15. The Bristol Stool Form Scale Chart (laminated/colour) is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

14. Toilets, including en-suites

• State which toilets/en-suites checked:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is a facility for offensive waste, e.g. continence pads, disposal

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A ‘Stop the spread of germs – please wash your hands’ poster is displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Access to the handwash basin is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The handwash basin is free from clutter, e.g. used items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sanitary ware and fittings are in good condition, clean and free from lime scale and stains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All surfaces of toilets are clean, e.g. seats, lids, hinges, handles and rails

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 10 of 11

Environment

• All surfaces of raised toilet seats, e.g. risers, support frame, are clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All surfaces of commodes are clean, including underneath the cover, seat and frame

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 10. The commodes have no damage/tears/rust that impedes effective cleaning

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 11. Staff can demonstrate how to clean a commode working from the top down

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 12. Staff can demonstrate how to clean a commode pan

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Toiletries and other items, e.g. soap bars, shampoo, shower gel, facecloths, razors, etc, are personal use and not shared between residents

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 15. Supplies of toilet roll, pads, waste bags, etc, are minimal and items are not stored on open surfaces

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• References

• Care Quality Commission (2009) Practice Alert September 2009: Mattresses

Department of Health (July 2015) The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance

• Department of Health (2007) Essential Steps to Safe Clean Care. Inter–healthcare service user infection risk assessment form

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Infection Control Nurses Association (2004) Audit Tools for Monitoring Infection Control Standards

• Loveday HP et al (January 2014) epic3: National Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in NHS Hospitals in England Journal of

• Hospital Infection Volume 86 Supplement 1, Pages S1-S70

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2012) Healthcare-associated infections: prevention and control in primary and community care Clinical Guidelines 139

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• National Patient Safety Agency (2008) Clean Hands Save Lives, Service user Safety Alert Second Edition 2nd September 2008

• National Patient Safety Agency (2007) National Colour Coding Scheme for cleaning materials and equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NHS England and NHS Improvement (2019) Standard infection control precautions: national hand hygiene and personal protective equipment policy

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Community Infection Prevention and Control, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust www.infectionpreventioncontrol.co.uk November 2020 Version 2.00

• © Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for Care Homes November 2020 Version 2.00

Page 11 of 11