4 top tips for electrical appliance safety in your care home
Staff in the care sector need all sorts of electrical appliances to help them do their job, but these tools bring their own unique set of hazards. Here, Beckie Hatton from Home Appliance Care shares her tips for keeping the electricals in your care home running smoothly and safely. Whether you’re making residents a cup of tea in the morning, or keeping them warm throughout the winter, nursing and care homes depend on a wide range of electrical appliances to provide a high level of care. But, if left unchecked, this equipment can develop faults or fall into disrepair — and poorly maintained appliances can present a serious safety hazard for both your staff and residents. The good news is that regular checks, maintenance, and a few common-sense procedures can help keep everyone safe. Here, I’ll share the electrical maintenance tips that all care home owners and managers should know. Electrical safety and the law Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, all employers are obligated to safeguard their employees and members of the public (in this care, the residents) from harm. It’s also the duty of the business owner to ensure that electrical appliances are well-maintained and fit for purpose. To meet the regulations, you should carry out a risk assessment that looks at all the potential electrical hazards in your business and sets out measures to prevent injuries and accidents. This action plan should include a schedule for safety inspections, as well as training procedures for your staff to help them minimise risks when using appliances on a day to day basis. Inspections and testing As with any commercial business that uses electrical appliances, portable appliance testing (PAT) is a legal requirement in care homes. Inspections must be carried out by a competent person: this is someone who has the right training and sufficient knowledge of electrical work and safety, usually backed up by a formal qualification. Most businesses outsource PAT testing to a professional. There are two types of testing: physical and visual. Different types of equipment will have different timescales for testing: It’s helpful to label each appliance with the date of the last test, so you can keep track of what needs to be checked when. What staff and carers can do While regular inspections are a legal requirement, that doesn’t mean you can just forget about checking your appliances for the rest of the year. This is particularly true for residential or nursing environments as, unlike with a typical 9 to 5 business, your electrical goods will often be needed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While employers are responsible for maintaining appliances, staff and carers can also play a vital part in helping to reduce the risk of an accident or fault. Staff should make sure that appliances are unplugged when not in use, which will help to stop residents from attempting to use them. Residents shouldn’t be left alone with potentially dangerous equipment for any length of time, either. Staff should also take a quick look at the condition of the flex before they use a particular appliance, and never try to use something if the plug, cord, or appliance appear damaged in any way. Overloaded plug sockets are also a major cause of electrical faults and fires, so staff should be careful to use adaptors and extension cords safely. Employers can help encourage staff to do this by offering training and encouraging staff to report faults to a supervisor or manager whenever they notice a problem. By following a simple, regular system of looking for visible signs of damage or faults, most of the risks presented by electrical goods can be controlled. When to call an engineer Even with good maintenance and a rigorous system of checks in place, it’s likely that you’ll need to deal with electrical faults from time to time. You should contact an appliance service engineer if you or your staff notice any of the following: Depending on the size of your care home, it may be safer and more cost-efficient to schedule regular maintenance visits with a service engineer. By maintaining your appliances in this way, you can help to prevent potentially hazardous faults from happening, and extend the lifespan of your equipment, too. Given the number of appliances in the average care home, electrical safety should always be a priority. Follow the advice I’ve outlined here, and you should be able to keep your staff and residents safe from harm. Please note that this isn’t intended as a comprehensive guide, so refer to the HSE’s electrical safety at work resource for more information.
Leafield AquaPod Solves the Dregs Problem
Leafield AquaPod Solves the Dregs Problem! “I want to put my disposable coffee cup in the bin but what should I do with the liquid dregs?” A problem we have all encountered. Should I tip it all in the bin and hope for the best or attempt surreptitiously to water a nearby, unsuspecting potted plant? Leafield Environmental provides an efficient answer in the form of the Aquapod, a stand-alone liquid collection reservoir with a 9.5 litre capacity; the ideal complement to any waste receptacle sited where drinks might be consumed. Designed for internal use and standing some 664mm high, the AquaPod is a simple seamless moulding to ease cleaning, with no tight radii to form dirt traps. Lightweight, yet inherently strong, the base is made from up to 100% recycled material. A clever moulded in handle makes handling and emptying a simple proposition. Drinks dregs in dry mixed recycling can pose a major problem to janitorial staff and recycling organisations alike. At less than £85 (excluding VAT), AquaPod from Leafield Environmental could well be the solution. www.leafield-environmental.com
Safe Heating Transforms Meallmore Care
Safe surface temperature specialists, Contour, have provided a comprehensive, multi-phase LST package to a significant Scottish care organisation. Due to tighter regulations around patient safety and wellbeing Meallmore were looking for a product that would be good looking, well designed and a long lasting solution. They were also mindful of the view to having a hygienic solution to help combat the rise of superbugs in the care environments. Meallmore Care is one of the foremost providers of innovative and ethical health and social care, with premises located through Scotland and boasting the ISO 9001 International Accreditation for quality assurance each year for the past 8 years. Contour’s range of innovative and aesthetic LST radiator guards are backed-up by a unique service package, including free site surveys, split deliveries, exclusive patented features, a dedicated technical support department and a supply & fit service. The recommended surface temperature for radiators and pipework in care homes is 43°C. Above this the risk of burns and scalds increases, and residents are put in danger of potentially life-changing injuries if they are exposed to hot surfaces. The result of these injuries, however, is not only catastrophic for the resident; it can also be damaging both financially and legally for care home managers. Contour were chosen to supply almost one hundred of their pioneering DeepClean LST radiator guards to the latest addition in the Meallmore group, Glencairn Lodge in Fraserburgh. The guards were supplied over four phases, with deliveries staggered over a five-month time period. Contour’s DeepClean LST radiator guard was specified because of the synergy between its features and the needs of care home clients.The guard incorporates a unique, patented, full-access front door which can be lowered down to floor level by one cleaning operative – without assistance from estates. This facilitates access to every internal surface for cleaning and maintenance, improving hygiene standards, raising efficiencies and reducing operating overheads. Every radiator cover incorporates BioCote® anti-microbial technology as standard. The additives in the powder coating have been proven to reduce the bacteria on the surface of the radiator by 99.5% in two hours and is 99.99% effective against resistant bacteria such as MRSA and E.coli. Microbes such as H1N1 influenza virus, Salmonella and Streptococcus faecalis can be found on many surfaces, including radiators. BioCote® inhibits the growth of these bacteria for the lifespan of the LST radiator, reducing the risk of cross-contamination creating more hygienic spaces and proving a safer and healthier environment for service users and staff alike. With a one-piece construction and all cut-outs programmed into manufacture, it means that no assembly is required, dramatically reducing disruption, mess and installation time. Safety grilles are radiused to eliminate unhygienic dirt traps and are small enough to prevent fingers being trapped and stop small items from being dropped inside. Contour also offers a range of anti-ligature features for application in secure environments. To arrange your free site survey and consultation, contact Contour on 01952 290498, email sales@contourheating.co.uk or visit www.contourheating.co.uk Contour Heating Products Ltd The Mansions, 43 Broadway, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8BB
Tonbridge home care provider urges older people to stay hydrated this summer
Following the high temperatures this weekend, local home care provider Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells has issued a warning to older people across the borough to stay hydrated this summer. The company has launched its ‘Summer Hydration’ campaign to help educate vulnerable elderly people about the harmful effects of heat and sun exposure. “High temperatures and hot weather can be incredibly dangerous, particularly for elderly people,” says Clare Mortlock, Operations Manager at Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. “During the summer heatwave last year, Office of National Statistics figures show that there were nearly 995 more deaths than the average for the same months during the 2012-2017 period. Thousands of people end up in hospital each year due to heat and allergies brought on by the hot weather. “Dehydration reduces the body’s ability to sweat and maintain a normal temperature, so we are encouraging people across Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells to seriously consider their hydration this summer and to take positive steps to increase their fluid intake during hot weather. High temperatures and sun exposure are extremely serious and potentially life threatening.” Ensuring adequate intake of fluids is essential to avoiding heat-related conditions including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. Government recommendations suggest everyone should have around six to eight glasses a day, which can be water or sugar-free drinks. Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS England, said: “It’s really important to take simple precautions like drinking plenty of water, using high-factor sunscreen and remembering to take allergy medication if you need it – as is making sure to check in on neighbours and loved ones who can suffer the most from heat and pollen.” As part of the campaign, Bluebird Care’s team will ensure that elderly people are properly advised on the best way to stay hydrated during scheduled home care visits. Bluebird Care has put together the following tips to help people avoid heat related illness and ensure everyone is prepared for the hot weather: * Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing to allow your body to cool properly. * Protect against sunburn with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. * Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and help your body sweat to maintain a normal body temperature. * Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat. * Don’t sit in a parked car, as temperatures in a car can rise by up to 10°C in 15 minutes. * Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day and try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening. * Be cautious if you’re at increased risk. If you have a history of previous heat illness, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating.
Care home’s mini-festival inspired by Glastonbury
A GLASTONBURY inspired mini-festival took place at a Tyneside care home as part of Care Home Open Day. The annual mega-festival at Worthy Farm, in Somerset, which took place last week, gave residents and staff at a care home over 300-miles away the idea of holding their own event. Music and arts activities were available to residents and visitors at Waverley Lodge Care Home, in Lemington, near Newcastle, on Care Home Open Day, which sees homes across the country welcoming the public through their doors. Singer Christina Rosemont performed classics from the 1950s to 1970s in the home’s garden – with residents enjoying the sunshine while listening to some of their favourite songs. Resident Betty Reay said: “The music was really great and it was lovely to sit in the sunshine.” Similar to Glastonbury’s arts installations, residents also took part in arts and crafts activities, weaving baskets and painting stones found on the beach at Whitley Bay. Resident Dorothy Newton said: “I’ve never painted rocks before. It was good fun.” Michelle Park, activities coordinator at Waverley Lodge Care Home, said: “With the weather forecast looking great for Care Home Open Day, we thought why not run our own mini-festival inspired by Glastonbury. “It was such a brilliant day and it was great to welcome family members and other visitors. “Christina put on a fantastic performance in the garden and the residents really enjoyed creating their own designs when doing the basket weaving and painting rocks. “Our own version of a music and arts festival was a lot of fun, with the activities also proving very therapeutic and calming for the residents. “A massive thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a special day.” Waverley Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Local care workers honoured at annual awards ceremony
Social care provider, Optalis, honoured dedicated care workers for their outstanding performance at the annual Star Awards ceremony, held at Easthampstead Park Conference Centre. The Star Awards Ceremony, which took place on 12 June, celebrates the exceptional work delivered by Optalis staff providing all levels of care and support and highlighting those who had been short-listed in different categories. Employees were nominated in nine individual categories, which include, among others, awards in communication, respect, and continuous development. The awards are an opportunity to praise all individuals who have consistently exhibited empathy, a positive attitude, and dedication to the work offered to customers supported by Optalis’ services. Jeanette Crisp, Optalis HR Manager, commented: “These awards allow us to take a moment to celebrate the enormous amount of excellent work that goes on at all levels, so congratulations to all the winners and finalists and to every individual and team that have attended the event.” The event consisted of an awards section followed by an afternoon tea and was attended by all short-listed candidates, their nominators and senior managers from Optalis. Categories were based on a series of criteria, such as exceeding customers’ expectations and being nominated by customers themselves. Despite specific workers being short-listed and awarded for their contribution, the Star Awards is a chance to honour every individual and team who are always attempting to provide the best possible service to customers who choose Optalis for support. Jeanette added: “We know that the winners and short-listed candidates who are celebrated at the Awards are by no means the only ones that have made a difference to our customers. We value every individual and team, who constantly thrive in the work they deliver, and the effort that all support workers continuously put into everything they do.” For a full list of winners of the Star Awards, visit https://www.optalis.org/star-awards-pictures.
Norovirus Outbreak Closes Hospital Wards In Cornwall
An outbreak of the Norovirus has forced medics to close hospital wards in Cornwall this morning. People are being urged to avoid the Royal Cornwall Hospital after three wards have been contaminated with the vomiting bug. Senior staff at the hospital have issued a “Black Alert”, known as an “OPEL 4” which the NHS classifies as a “serious incident”. Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK. You are likely to have caught Norovirus if you experience a sudden sick feeling, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Other symptoms can include a slight fever, headaches, painful cramps and aching limbs. Symptoms generally only last for about two to three days. If you think you have contracted it contact NHS direct but stay at home, as you could put others at risk by being in hospital. Symptoms do not last long, however, you’re actually contagious for up to three days after you’ve recovered – and some people may even be contagious for two weeks. (source: NHS) Johanna Floyd, general manager for urgent emergency care at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, tweeted: “Royal Cornwall Hospital Opel 4, three wards closed with Norovirus. Staff are working extremely hard. The hospital is under significant pressure this morning”, adding: “Take advice from your GP to manage any Norovirus symptoms at home.”
Using technology to advantage in health, aged, social services and home care
The CQC fundamental standards highlight the need to support people to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their home care, treatment and support. Organisations need to show that staff routinely involve people who use their services, in planning and making decisions about their care and treatment. The era of health professionals deciding care and goals is over. Technology can support residents, clients, staff and managers alike, achieve these aims if the right type of technology / software is used. Staff are responsible for ensuring a person’s clinical, medical and care needs, preferences and lifestyle choices are professionally assessed, and that a care plan is created that describes all these. If the resident is to be involved as possible in the process, technology needs to enable them to contribute to these assessments and plans. Does your technology support a resident’s contribution to care planning? Technology also has to aid staff reduce the documentation burden but what is the aim of documentation? Documentation has to capture e.g. cultural, social and religious needs and determine how these relate to care. Staff must take this information into account when delivering services. Technology should not just collect ‘staff actions taken’data. Staff need to know which meals to provide, how to support activities of daily living, but also residents’ emotional functional/ physical support needs, continence needs and the pain management strategies to utilise all day. We work in aged care because we care what happens to older persons or those requiring support, hence the data we collect has to be meaningful. Technology solutions must record a holistic assessment of all aspects of a person’s life for staff to address each day – not just the tasks undertaken by staff – and automatically make care plans from the assessment data captured. How can technology do this? Apps designed to gather preferences, choices and clinical information for residents and staff, that interface dynamically with a full clinical, social, medication and operations’ management software system, from any tablet or phone, are now available by quality software providers. Technology can also auto-alert health and care professionals re key information held by these products. For example, beacon technology can be used to push critical client or resident information to a device as staff walk past a beacon disc on a door or house. Apps can also aid residents feel part of the community. They can present information on a resident’s tablet or phone screen, including streetscapes of favourite places that can be watched as the person exercises, or images uploaded by staff or family on the resident’s home page, that represents a person’s timeline, supporting reminiscence and emotional calm. Technology can also aid manager’s critical decision making processes. Residents want managers to know that an infection resolves in 7 days with x antibiotic and interventions but 2 weeks with other interventions. They want management to analyse all the falls in the bathrooms vs the corridor this month, and know at what time of the day they occurred to establish if staff ratios are appropriate at those times. They want staff to know how many pillows/blankets they prefer, their overnight continence aid, the book or magazine to keep with them in the lounge or the movie or sport they want to watch. Not all software companies are the same and not all technology achieves what is really needed. As healthcare environments and services are ever changing, software systems need to provide full content configuration, forms and reports builders, that reflect instantly in the linked Apps that are used by staff and residents. Apps need to be auto-modified through changes made in the software so every organisation can become their own, at no extra cost, development company. Choosing the right technology not only helps you save money – but can also aid you to future proof your organisation. Author: Dr Caroline Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer Company: Leecare Solutions UK Limited, Leecare Solutions Pty Ltd, Leecare Health Pte Ltd UK GM: Temby Nyemba RGN, BSc, MA Telephone: UK: +44 7456 050032 Head office: +61 3 9339 6888 Web Address: www.leecare.co.uk www.leecare.irish
CQC calls for improvements to oral health in care homes
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has today published the findings of an in-depth review on the state of oral health care in care homes across England. The review draws on one hundred inspections of care homes on which CQC inspectors were accompanied by inspectors from dental regulation. It reveals that three years on from the publication of NICE guidance on oral health in care homes, steps are often not being taken to ensure that people get the oral health care they need to ensure that they are pain-free and that their dignity is respected. Key findings include: The majority (52%) of care homes visited had no policy to promote and protect people’s oral health Nearly half (47%) of care homes were not providing any staff training to support people’s daily oral healthcare. 73% of residents’ care plans we reviewed only partly covered or did not cover oral health at all – homes looking after people with dementia being the most likely to have no plan in place. 17% of care homes said they did not assess people’s oral health on admission Whilst two-thirds (67%) of the care homes that CQC visited said people who used their services could always, or nearly always, access NHS dental care, the report did reveal a lack of dentists who were able or willing to visit care homes. Other challenges people faced involved local dentists not accepting new patients and the length of time it took to get an appointment with an NHS dentist – even for a procedure such as getting dentures fitted. Of the homes visited, 10% reported they had no way of accessing emergency dental treatment for people. 34% of homes told us they had no or limited access to out-of-hours services. Some care home managers stated that they had to call GPs, NHS 111, or even take the person requiring emergency care to A&E. CQC is calling for a cross-sector approach to tackle the concerns raised by this report, and highlights examples where this has been achieved. The review includes case studies of productive, joined-up relationships between care homes and local dental practices, including dentists providing routine check-ups, ongoing treatment and emergency care, both in and outside the care home. The recommendations include a call for mandatory staff training in oral care, oral health check-ups for all residents upon admission, better signposting to local dental services and the convening of a multi-agency group tasked with raising awareness among people living in care homes, their families and carers of the importance of day-to-day dental hygiene and the need for routine check-ups. Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said: “Oral health has a huge impact on our quality of life and we need professionals across a number of sectors to make changes to ensure it is given the priority it needs in care home settings. “Oral health cannot be treated as an afterthought. It can make the difference between someone who is free from pain, enjoys eating and is able to confidently express themselves through talking and smiling – and someone who is in pain, unable to enjoy their food and who covers their mouth with their hand when they smile because of their poor oral hygiene but unable to address it themselves. “Care home managers must recognise the significance of oral health – and professionals including GPs, dentists, dental hygienists and community nurses need to work together to elevate the importance of oral health in care homes and to prioritise this as part of their work. “The changes needed can only happen with the efforts of all parts of the health and care system coming together, supporting people who use services, their families and carers to be aware of the importance of oral care. By working in partnership, we can make a positive impact on the quality of life of people living in care homes.” Charlotte Waite, Chair of the BDA’s England Community Dental Services Committee said: “This welcome report shines a light on services that are failing some of the most vulnerable in our society. “There are residents left unable to eat, drink and communicate, as an overstretched NHS struggles to provide the care they need. “We require nothing short of a revolution in the approach to dentistry in residential homes. Oral health can no longer remain the missing piece when it comes to care planning and budgets.”
