PAGE 14 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 27
The Essentials for Fabric COVID-19 Infection Control In The Care Sector
By Jackie Hook, chemist from commercial laundry specialist, JLA (www.jla.com)
The care home setting is one that requires staff to work in close contact with residents, the majority of whom are extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 infection. With heightened concerns about the growing second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and care homes facing further difficulties with the winter months approaching, infection control remains a critical concern and is, arguably, now more important than ever. Finding ways to keep staff members protected and residents as safe as possible, means that care home managers will be putting an increased emphasis on hygiene measures throughout their facilities. Specifically, keeping laundry clean, and most importantly, COVIDfree, is crucial. With research showing that the coronavirus infection can live on fabric and textiles for up to 3 days, below are some top tips and best practice for care home workers when storing, washing and handling laundry within the residence.
STORING DIRTY LINEN As studies demonstrate that coronavirus can survive on linen for up to 72 hours, it is important that linen, or any fabric that residents or staff come into contact with, is removed, stored and washed as safely as possible. For workers, when removing infected laundry and bed linen from residents’ rooms, it is recommended that the linen is not rinsed, shaken or sorted but carefully placed in a red soluble bag, tied and then secured in a secondary bag. This should then be placed directly into the allocated laundry trolley. Similarly, once this has been done, laundry baskets must be stored in a designated and safe area, away from the residents and members of staff. This should be done before the laundry is washed or whilst awaiting collection from a contractor.
KEEPING LAUNDRY COVID-FREE It is important that linen is processed as quickly as possible and not left overnight for washing. This will ensure any stains are not allowed to dry into the fabric and reduce the microbial challenge. When washing the laundry, whether onsite or through a contractor, not only is it essential to do this safely, it is also worth researching the washing system that is being used to see how effective it is at removing the coronavirus infection. There are now systems available that have undergone extensive testing to demonstrate just how effective they are at removing the coronavirus infection, with factors such as optimum temperature and load capacity being carefully monitored and reviewed. Not only does investing in a tested system help protect care home residents, but it also places confidence in the staff, with families of residents feeling safe in the knowledge that everything is being done to ensure the safety of their loved ones.
SUPPORTING THE WASHING OF STAFF UNIFORM Another way to ensure that any potential traces of coronavirus are removed effectively from any fabric or linen within the care home, could be by having health workers’ uniforms washed and stored on site, rather than items being taken home. Using commercial washing machines provides better control of the wash process in comparison to domestic washers. They are not designed to deal with infected linen nor are they normally compliant with UK water regulations to deal with this category of work. As discussed by Dr Katie Laird, reader in microbiology and head of the infectious disease research group at De Montfort University Leicester ‘by taking uniforms home, (care) workers run the risk of contaminating their home environment’. By using a laundering facility for healthcare uniforms directly in the care home, infection control can be effectively treated and minimised transmission of the virus can be assured as fabrics are not being taken to and from the care facility after they have been worn. As a key public-facing industry, the care sector is quickly having to stay up to date with new measures surrounding infection control. In an environment where incorrect handling, processing and storage of linen can present a preventable risk, investing in the right laundry facility and hygiene measures, can help to keep residents safe, workers happy and families reassured that their loved ones are as protected from this virus as they can be.
Marie Curie to Support Care UK Teams in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic End of life charity, Marie Curie and care home provider Care UK, are working together to provide additional support to care home teams and to help prepare for any future outbreaks. Marie Curie will work with Care UK on its approach to end of life care, including evaluating current training and practice, provide support to Care UK home managers to enhance resilience among team members and will be on hand for care home colleagues who need a space to share, reflect and learn, with the opportunity to speak to Marie Curie experts about any aspect of end of life care. In homes affected by coronavirus, Marie Curie will provide support to the entire care home team via the Marie Curie Professional Companions programme. Marie Curie will also provide recommendations about additional support that might develop and reassure care home teams in the future. Leah Queripel, HR Director at Care UK said: “Our care home teams are what makes the care we provide second to none and we want to do everything we can to support our team members. I know absolutely that the last seven months have not been easy for them, but they have risen to the challenge in ways that would have been unimaginable a year ago. Their courage to keep on going to work, day in day out, to deliver great care and to support each other has been something we are incredibly proud of. We know that extraordinary grit and determination has, in some case, taken its toll on people and I hope that working with Marie Curie will help our teams in that position to move forward.”
Leah added: “Although a confidential telephone support service has been available to all Care UK employees for several years, directors at Care UK recognised that the past seven months have been like no other period in its history and that something additional was required. Sadly, the virus did claim the lives of some residents in our homes and care home teams worked incredibly hard to ensure that residents at the end of their lives were in comfortable, loving and supported surroundings. David had email as well is that about features list the current know we have the same email when you tell and what is good we work on the features list tonight “Whilst I hope it never arrives, these recommendations will also help us to be even more prepared and resilient if we see a surge of cases in our homes in the coming months.” Eamon O’Kane, Deputy Director, Devolved Nations & National Programmes at Marie Curie said: “As a charity, Marie Curie’s mission is to improve the experience of dying, death and bereavement for all. We provide direct end of life care in communities across the UK, but we will make greater impact in our mission by working with organisations that have a delivery role in end of life care. We have experience, resources and services that can help the care home sector and welcome the approach from Care UK. Working together ensures patients, residents and carers will ultimately benefit from the best end of life experience.”
On Your Marks, Get Set, BAKE! 12 Care Homes Take Part In Cake Off Event A group of 12 care homes across the South East of England got to make their cake and eat it as part of a bake off event covering Kent, Essex and Surrey. Donning aprons and wielding whisks, residents and staff at Nellsar, a family-run group of residential and nursing care homes, baked their way to success in a showstopping competition – with not a soggy bottom in sight! Dubbed ‘The Great Nellsar Cake Off’, the event saw an array of indulgent and creative cakes entered into a competition, which was held in part to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of residents – a core strategy at Nellsar – and to coincide with the nation’s beloved Great British Bake Off returning to screens. A panel of sweet-toothed judges were tasked with the difficult decision of picking the cream of the crop, casting judgement on creative concept, resident involvement, and standard of finish to determine three prize winners. Meyer House Care Centre, in Erith, Kent, took first place with an incredible seaside themed cake, while Princess Christian Care Centre, near Woking, Surrey, scooped second place with a stunning Wedgwood inspired Queen’s cake. The Old
Downs Residential Care Centre, in Hartley, Kent, secured third place with an impressive fruit and sponge design of its home. A special prize also went to St Winifreds Care Centre, in Deal, Kent, for its creative concept of featuring aspects of its residents’ lives, which included lawn bowls and cocktails. While cash prizes of £200, £100 and £50 were given to the winners, every home’s delightful designs were worthy of a Paul Hollywood handshake! Viv Stead, Recreation and Wellbeing Manager at Nellsar, said: “The Great Nellsar Cake Off was full of fun, friendship and flour – lots of flour! Our residents fully immersed themselves in the competition and we were lucky enough to see some incredible designs.” Viv continued: “With the pandemic not likely to pass any time soon, it’s so important to keep residents engaged, stimulated and happy, and that’s what this light-hearted competition was all about. Well done to everyone who took part – treat yourselves to a well-deserved slice and cuppa!”