Maintaining stringent hygiene and cleaning practices in a GP practice is vital. However, many are unaware of how to implement effective infection control procedures. Working in a busy, high-pressure environment, it can be difficult to maintain standards without external help.
In this article, we will explain how to clean a GP practice to CQC standards and explain how to prepare for a CQC inspection. We will also discuss the principles of CQC guidelines and how everyone can play a part in reducing the spread of infection.
What are CQC Standards?
CQC stands for Care Quality Commission – an independent regulator of health and social care in England.Â
The CQC states that every healthcare facility must adhere to its guidance on cleanliness and hygiene. To this aim, the regulatory body carries out periodic inspections to make sure facilities are exercising due diligence in their cleaning practices.
Studies have shown a direct correlation between the quality of cleaning and reduced spread of disease, so understanding what CQC standards mean for you is essential. Examples of facilities in England that need to comply with CQC standards include hospices, dentists, clinics and, of course, GP surgeries.
How to Clean a Doctor’s Surgery to CQC Standards
1. Identifying high-risk areas
Certain areas of a GP’s surgery require particular attention to help prevent the spread of germs. Key examples are waiting areas and toilets. Likewise, examination rooms that see a constant flow of patients should be regularly disinfected.
2. Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control require getting back to basics – this means frequent handwashing and catching coughs and sneezes – all helping to mitigate risk. You must ensure staff and patients have easy access to tissues and hand sanitiser and also use signage throughout the surgery to prevent complacency.Â
3. Use appropriate cleaning products
You cannot clean effectively without the right products – this means deploying cleaning agents proven to destroy bacteria and viruses yet are safe to use around staff and patients. You must also ensure that staff are trained to use them properly by the manufacturer’s instructions.Â
4. Focus on touchpoints
Doorknobs, door handles, handrails, lift buttons and light switches, by nature, are touched by multiple people a day – making them a hotbed for germs to spread – that’s why they must be frequently cleaned with anti-bacterial agents.
5. Schedule and auditingÂ
GP surgeries are busy places, with patients passing through consistently throughout the day and staff under increasing pressure to meet demand for health services.
That’s why it is vitally important to schedule any cleaning activity so that everything undertaken is recorded and available for auditing purposes – this will show inspectors that you have an organised system and no area is untouched.
6. Use colour-coded cleaning suppliesÂ
To prevent cross-contamination, it is good practice to use different cleaning supplies for different areas of a GP practice. For example, you could use red cleaning cloths for bathrooms and yellow for kitchenette areas.
7. Provide Appropriate PPEÂ
Without appropriate and industry-approved PPE it’s easy to end up contaminating skin and clothes with viruses and causing more harm than good. Disposable gloves and aprons should be made available to staff and cleaners and changed after every use. Â
8. Effective Waste Management processesÂ
Having a practical and effective waste management process is essential for a GP surgery. Contaminated medical and biodegradable waste must be disposed of responsibly, with clearly segregated waste bins.
9. Regular staff training and refresher sessionsÂ
Medical and administrative staff have a shared responsibility to ensure they follow all guidance on cleanliness. Therefore, regular training and refresher sessions will benefit both existing staff and new joiners.
10 .Have regular in-house inspections
Senior GP surgery staff ought to carry out regular inspections throughout the facility to make sure the guidance on cleanliness and hygiene is being adhered to – this can help pinpoint any areas of concern and provide an opportunity for staff to give feedback.
How to Prepare for a CQC Inspection
A CQC inspection is designed to ensure a healthcare facility is meeting expectations around hygiene and cleanliness. An independent regulator will be completing a checklist, focusing on different areas of a GP surgery and assigning scores. A facility that fails to meet requirements could receive a negative rating, enforcement action and, in extreme cases, even be closed.
Quite often, a CQC inspection will be unannounced, so by engaging a professional cleaning company to help, you can have peace of mind that your facility is being cleaned to the very highest standards following CQC guidance.
Cleaning to CQC Standards: Final Thoughts
We hope this article has given you insight into the principles of CQC standards and the importance of cleanliness for infection prevention.
Scott & Sons are highly experienced cleaning contractors offering specialised services for GPs across St Albans, Watford and Hemel Hempstead. For scheduled cleans in full compliance with CQC guidelines, get in touch with our team today.Â
