Why IPC matters
Live-in care involves close contact and shared home environments. Infections can spread through:
direct contact
airborne droplets/aerosols
contaminated surfaces and equipment
We take a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe IPC practice. If you see a risk or concern, you must report it early.
Your key IPC responsibilities
You must:
apply infection control precautions every day
use PPE correctly
maintain excellent hand hygiene
keep the home environment clean and hygienic (as per the care plan)
report infection risks, incidents and outbreaks promptly
stay off work if you are infectious
Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) – always required
You must apply SICPs at all times, for every client, even if no infection is known.
1) Hand hygiene (mandatory)
You must wash your hands:
before and after direct care
before handling food or medication
after using the toilet
after contact with body fluids/contaminated items
after removing gloves/PPE
on arrival and departure from the client’s home
How to wash properly
Use warm running water + liquid soap
Scrub for 40–60 seconds (wrists, palms, backs of hands, fingers, nails)
Rinse and dry with disposable paper towels where possible
Alcohol hand gel
You may use alcohol gel if hands are not visibly dirty.
Do not rely on gel for suspected/confirmed:
Norovirus
C. difficile
In these cases you must use soap and water.
2) PPE (mandatory)
PPE must be used based on task and risk.
Minimum expectations
Gloves + apron for personal care, continence care, cleaning body fluids
Mask / eye protection where splash or aerosol risk exists (or where extra precautions apply)
You must:
change PPE between tasks
never reuse single-use PPE
dispose of PPE safely immediately after use
Overshoes
Not usually used in home settings due to slip risk, unless stated in risk assessment.
3) Respiratory hygiene
You must:
cover mouth/nose with a tissue when coughing/sneezing
bin tissues immediately
wash hands after
cough/sneeze into your elbow if no tissues are available
Transmission-Based Precautions (TBPs) – extra precautions when infection is suspected/confirmed
If infection is known or suspected, you may need extra precautions in addition to SICPs.
Contact precautions
Examples: norovirus, MRSA, scabies
What to do:
gloves and apron
dedicated equipment where possible
enhanced cleaning
Droplet precautions
Examples: flu / respiratory infections
What to do:
fluid resistant surgical mask (FRSM)
ventilation and distancing where possible
Airborne precautions
Examples: TB, measles, chickenpox
What to do:
follow office guidance and UKHSA instructions
ensure ventilation
wear correct respiratory PPE (e.g. FFP3) if instructed
If you are unsure which precautions apply, contact the office/on-call immediately.
Cleaning and decontamination in client homes
You must:
follow the care plan cleaning schedule
clean/disinfect high-touch areas (handles, switches, toilets)
clean equipment as per manufacturer guidance
If infection is suspected/confirmed:
increase cleaning frequency
use appropriate disinfectants
use dedicated cleaning equipment where possible
Blood/body fluid spillages
If there is a spill (blood, urine, vomit, faeces):
Put on gloves + apron
Contain spill immediately
Use disinfectant/spill kit as instructed
Dispose as clinical waste (sealed bag)
Wash hands
Report the event
Laundry and soiled linen
You must:
wear gloves and apron for soiled linen
never shake linen
place linen carefully into a laundry bag/container
dispose of faecal matter into toilet if present
wash at highest safe temperature with detergent
dry thoroughly (preferably tumble dry if available)
Food hygiene
You must follow food safety rules:
wash hands before food handling
keep raw and cooked food separate
clean surfaces and utensils
cook food thoroughly
If you have vomiting/diarrhoea or food poisoning symptoms:
do not handle food
remain off work until 48 hours symptom-free
Sharps safety (home care)
Where sharps are used:
a suitable sharps container must be in place
never leave sharps loose
never transport sharps loose
keep sharps container away from children/pets
seal at ¾ full and dispose correctly
Needlestick injury
encourage bleeding under running water
wash with soap and water (do not scrub)
cover with sterile dressing
report immediately to the office/on-call
Waste disposal
Clinical waste includes:
items contaminated with blood/body fluids
dressings/incontinence pads (where infection risk)
PPE from infectious cases
You must:
segregate waste correctly
store safely
follow disposal arrangements for that package
Outbreak management
An outbreak may be suspected if 2 or more linked cases occur in a short timeframe (e.g. vomiting/diarrhoea).
If you suspect an outbreak:
notify the office/RCM immediately
apply strict hand hygiene and PPE
increase cleaning and precautions
record symptoms and timings in notes
follow instructions from management (including UKHSA escalation where required)
Staff sickness and exclusion (important)
You must report infectious symptoms immediately and not attend work if you may be infectious.
Minimum rule:
vomiting/diarrhoea: 48 hours symptom-free
other infections: follow office guidance based on UKHSA/NIPCM
If IPC controls cannot be implemented in the home
If you cannot safely apply IPC due to the home environment (for example):
no soap/hot water
unsafe waste storage
infestations
refusal of PPE/hygiene measures
You must:
report immediately to the office/on-call
document the concern
follow escalation instructions
do not place yourself at risk
Training and annual PPE competency
All carers must complete:
IPC training at induction
annual IPC refreshers
Safe Use of PPE Competency (completed annually)
If gaps are identified, we will support you with:
retraining
supervision/spot check review
increased monitoring until competence is confirmed
Need help?
If you are unsure about infection risk or what precautions to use, contact:
your Care Manager / Coordinator
the on-call team (urgent)
If in doubt: report and ask.