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7 Important hygiene standards for care facilities

Hygiene is the key to safety in care facilities - for residents, staff and the quality of care. Here are the 7 key hygiene standards that every facility must implement:

  • Hand hygiene: Wash and disinfect your hands thoroughly to reduce germs.
  • Surface cleaning and disinfection: Regular cleaning of door handles, bedside tables and sanitary facilities.
  • Waste management: Safe disposal of medical and infectious waste.
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE): Use of gloves, masks and protective gowns.
  • Staff training: Regular training on compliance with hygiene standards.
  • Monitoring: Monitoring of the measures by hygiene specialists.
  • Documentation: Seamless recording of all hygiene measures.

Why is this important? These standards minimize the risk of infection, protect against multi-resistant germs and ensure a safe environment. Consistent implementation of these measures is not only required by law, but is also essential for the trust of residents and relatives.

Read on to find out how these standards can be implemented in everyday life.

Basic hygiene: transmission routes

1. hand hygiene: keeping germs at bay

Hand hygiene is the basis of all hygiene measures in care facilities. It helps to effectively minimize the spread of germs and pathogens.

1.1 How to wash your hands properly

Hands should be washed thoroughly under running water with liquid soap, rinsed and dried with a disposable towel. This process should take at least 40 seconds to be effective.

1.2 Carry out hand disinfection correctly

Hand sanitizers with an alcohol content of at least 60% and skin-friendly additives are ideal [2]. It is important that the product is allowed to work for 30 seconds. Products such as Sterillium are often recommended as they are both skin-friendly and effective against a wide range of pathogens.

1.3 Using gloves correctly

Gloves should be worn whenever there is contact with body fluids, wounds or contaminated material. They must be disposed of after each use, followed by thorough hand disinfection [1].

Typical mistakes in hand hygiene:

  • Excessively short exposure time of the disinfectant
  • Hands are not completely wetted
  • Jewelry or artificial fingernails hinder hygiene
  • Disposable gloves are used several times

Regular training for staff and disinfectant dispensers at strategic points in the facility are crucial for implementing hand hygiene on a daily basis [4].

In addition to hand hygiene, the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces is also an important part of infection control.

2. cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and devices

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and equipment is crucial to prevent the spread of pathogens. A systematic approach is the only way to effectively break chains of infection.

2.1 Surfaces with high contact frequency

Some surfaces require special attention as they are often touched by several people. Here is an overview:

Range Frequency and requirements
Door handles and light switches Use quick-drying products at least twice a day
Bed rails and bedside cabinets Use material-friendly products after every contact with the occupant
Sanitary facilities Three times a day, use products that are effective against noroviruses
Shared appliances Use a fast-acting disinfectant after each use

2.2 Choosing the right disinfectant

Disinfectants must meet certain requirements: They should be certified by the RKI or the DGHM, be gentle on materials, combat multi-resistant bacteria and be approved for the medical sector [3]. One example of a proven product is Sterillium, which offers broad efficacy against various pathogens.

2.3 Effective disinfection methods

Thorough cleaning is essential before any disinfection. Wipe disinfection is particularly effective if the surface is completely wetted and the contact time is observed. Microfiber cloths have proven to be very helpful here. Cleaning schedules ensure that no measures are overlooked and regular training ensures that all requirements are implemented correctly [1][2].

In the event of outbreaks of infectious diseases such as noroviruses, the frequency of disinfection must be increased. Special virucidal disinfectants are required here [2].

Another important aspect of infection control is the safe disposal of waste to prevent the spread of pathogens.

3. waste management: handling and disposal

While the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces is crucial to breaking chains of infection, the correct disposal of waste also plays a key role in protecting against infection.

3.1 Sorting different types of waste

Type of waste Container Special requirements
Household waste Black garbage can Daily emptying, lockable containers
Medical waste Yellow containers Puncture-proof, UN-certified
Infectious materials Red container Double-walled, observe dangerous goods regulations
Sharp/pointed objects Cannula boxes Shatterproof, automatic closure

All waste containers must be clearly labeled and regularly disinfected [1].

3.2 Staff training on waste disposal

Personnel must always wear personal protective equipment when handling waste. Every disposal of hazardous waste must be fully documented [2]. This documentation ensures safety and traceability.

Particular attention must be paid to avoiding needlestick injuries. Tips or sharp objects must never be placed in normal waste containers. Special needle boxes are mandatory here [1][3].

Employees should also be trained in first aid measures for injuries caused by waste and be able to document them [5].

Hygiene specialists carry out regular checks on waste disposal. This also includes checking the storage rooms, which must be well ventilated and lockable [2][5].

Well-organized waste management in combination with personal protective equipment is essential to ensure the safety of staff and residents.

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4. personal protective equipment (PPE): safety in care facilities

Personal protective equipment plays a key role in protecting care staff and residents from the transmission of pathogens. It complements measures such as hand disinfection and waste disposal and ensures a higher level of safety.

4.1 Important PPE components

PPE is selected on the basis of risk assessments [1]. The key components include

  • Disposable glovesPowder-free and EN 455-certified, ideal for direct contact with residents or body fluids.
  • Protective gown: Liquid-repellent, especially for activities with an increased risk of contamination.
  • Mouth and nose protection: Standard mask for droplet transmission; FFP2/FFP3 masks for increased risk of infection.
  • Eye protection: Protective goggles that are fog-free offer protection against splashes and aerosols.

Particularly strict requirements apply to the use of PPE when caring for residents with multi-resistant pathogens [1].

4.2 Correct donning and doffing of PPE

Correct handling of PPE is crucial. Donning and doffing should be systematic, with hand disinfection before and after each contact with PPE being a top priority [2]. Contaminated equipment must be disposed of in specially marked waste containers.

"Training and job checks increase hand disinfection compliance by 30%" [6].

Important basic rules:

  • PPE should be stored in a dry and protected place.
  • A supply for at least four weeks must always be available.
  • Regular stock and quality checks are essential.

The correct use of PPE is just one component of a comprehensive hygiene concept. Staff training is essential to ensure that all standards are met.

5. training of staff and monitoring of hygiene practices

Thorough training and consistent monitoring of hygiene practices are essential to ensure safety in care facilities. Targeted measures can improve hygiene standards in the long term.

5.1 Designing effective training programs

A well thought-out training program should include several components in order to combine theory and practice in a meaningful way:

Training component Description Frequency
Basic and refresher courses Teaching theoretical basics and updates When hired, then every six months
Practical exercises Training on hand disinfection and PPE use Quarterly
E-learning modules Self-study and knowledge review Monthly

5.2 Promoting a hygiene-conscious work culture

A strong hygiene culture is created when all employees are actively involved. Studies show that the behavior of colleagues and managers has a significant influence on how well hygiene standards are adhered to [1].

Steps to promote a culture of hygiene:

  • Regular feedback and recognition for good behavior
  • Clear support from managers
  • Transparent communication of hygiene guidelines

A practical example would be the introduction of monthly feedback meetings to discuss and optimize hygiene practices.

"The expectations of superiors and the perception of good practices by colleagues are decisive factors for high compliance with hand hygiene." [1]

Despite a positive hygiene culture, mistakes can still occur. These should be addressed constructively in order to achieve sustainable improvements.

5.3 Addressing hygiene violations correctly

A solution-oriented approach to hygiene violations is often more effective than purely disciplinary measures.

Procedure for hygiene violations:

  1. Documentation of the incident
  2. Root cause analysis and individual coaching
  3. Regular monitoring of progress

According to statistics, targeted follow-up training for specific violations can significantly improve compliance with hygiene regulations [2].

Regular inspections by trained hygiene specialists are essential. Using standardized audit tools, they can objectively assess compliance with regulations and identify opportunities for optimization.

A combination of training, monitoring and a supportive hygiene culture creates a safe environment for care recipients and staff alike.

Conclusion: Ensuring hygiene in everyday life

Implementing measures such as PPE and training is only the beginning. It is crucial to integrate these into the daily work routine. Hygiene standards are essential for the operation of care facilities. With clear routines, defined responsibilities and a consistent hygiene culture, both residents and employees are protected.

A well-organized approach helps to embed these standards effectively into everyday life. The seven hygiene practices presented here form a solid foundation for successful hygiene management.

Hygiene area Daily measures Success factors
Hand hygiene Regular disinfection Sufficient availability of funds
Surface cleaning Planned cleaning Documented and reviewed plans
Waste management Careful waste separation Clear labeling and order

A strong hygiene culture is based on clearly defined processes and good cooperation. These are particularly important:

  • Clear responsibilities and control systems
  • Sufficient resources for hygiene materials
  • Regular review and adjustment of standards

For hygiene standards to be implemented successfully, everyone involved must understand their role and play an active part. Continuous monitoring ensures that new challenges can be responded to quickly.

High-quality materials and regular training not only help to reduce infection rates, but also contribute to the satisfaction of residents and staff. By consistently adhering to these standards, care facilities not only meet legal requirements, but also strengthen the trust of residents and relatives.

FAQs

What are the basics of hygiene in care?

The most important hygiene measures in care can be divided into three main areas:

Hygiene measure Description Frequency
Hand hygiene Thorough washing with liquid soap and disinfection with alcohol-based agents (effective against >99% of germs) After each patient contact, before/after food preparation, after glove removal
Personal protective equipment (PPE) Use of FFP2/FFP3 masks, gloves and protective gowns Change with every resident contact
Surface disinfection Cleaning with RKI/DGHM-approved disinfectants Daily for frequently touched surfaces

How often should hand hygiene be carried out in care facilities?

Hand hygiene is essential - before and after every care activity and when visibly soiled. Further information on how to do this correctly can be found in section 1.

What special hygiene measures must be observed in the event of infection risks?

In the event of an increased risk of infection, such as norovirus outbreaks, stricter measures apply:

  • Use of specially effective hand disinfectants
  • Daily disinfection of all contact surfaces
  • Clear separation of clean and contaminated material
  • Additional staff training on the correct use of disinfectants

How is compliance with hygiene standards ensured?

Compliance is ensured by several measures:

  • Regular training for nursing staff
  • Careful documentation of all hygiene measures
  • Ongoing review of practice by those responsible
  • Immediate adjustments in the event of deviations from the specifications

"Most infectious agents are transmitted via the hands. Short fingernails, no artificial fingernails and no nail polish are prerequisites for efficient hand hygiene" [2].

What role does personal protective equipment play in day-to-day care?

Personal protective equipment protects both residents and care staff from infection. It must be used correctly and replaced regularly. Detailed information on this can be found in section 4.1.

These questions illustrate how important a well thought-out hygiene concept is and how care facilities can implement it on a day-to-day basis.

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