Compliance is in the air – and water
Did you know it’s a legal requirement to provide clean fresh air and water to your residents? Gary Nicholls, MD of Swiftclean Building Services, and co-author of TR/19, the widely recognised industry guide to ventilation hygiene, outlines what you need to do to comply. When running a care home, you have several legal responsibilities that may not be immediately obvious. Several of these are concerned with your air and water supplies. Legionnaires’ disease is a ‘flu-like illness, caused by water-borne legionella bacteria, and to which the elderly, frail or infirm are particularly vulnerable. Some people will recover from it, but it can be lethal. In order to ensure a safe, clean water supply you must comply with the requirements of L8, Approved Code of Practice and guidance for the control of legionella, issued by the HSE. You also have a legal duty under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 to provide a safe environment for employees as well as residents and visitors. Care homes which have served other purposes in the past are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of legionella, often because the plumbing system has been changed and adapted over the years to accommodate the new purpose. You must be sure that there are no ‘dead’ areas in the system where water does not circulate freely. You must, by law, have an up to date risk assessment for legionella, and it is wise to review this regularly. Any pipework, taps or showerheads that have not been used for more than a week, perhaps while a room is unoccupied, must be flushed through before use again, without causing undue spray to occur. Water tanks must also be kept clean and adequately screened from the effects of solar gain. Tepid water provides an ideal breeding ground for legionella. Tanks should be cleaned regularly and any rust, debris, birds or rodents removed. If necessary the tank should be disinfected, refurbished or replaced to ensure a clean water supply. Water from your system in some cases should be tested regularly to detect the presence of legionella. All work must be carried out in accordance with Legionella Control Association (LCA) code of conduct. The penalties for negligence in legionella control are severe; limitless fines for the organisation and, if neglect is proven, a possible custodial sentence for the responsible person. Another essential area for compliance is the annual testing of fire dampers. These are sets of steel louvres which are installed within ventilation ductwork at the point where the ductwork passes through a fire-resistant rated internal wall. The opening in the wall creates a potential opening through which fire can travel, using the ductwork as a channel. The louvres should shut automatically to close off this route, delaying or halting the fire, so there is time to evacuate residents and staff to safety. Because they are a potential lifesaver, you must have fire dampers tested annually, in accordance with BS:9999. Your kitchen extract ductwork is also a potentially serious fire hazard. As food is cooked for your residents, airborne fat, oil and grease travel through the extract ductwork. As it cools, it leaves grease deposits on the insides of the ductwork. A surprisingly thin layer of this grease can represent a fire hazard. The grease itself can fuel a fire, while the ductwork provides a chimney through which it can spread to other parts of the building. The grease layer must be controlled within an average of 200 microns across the surface of the ductwork; this is about half the thickness of an average business card. Even an otherwise spotless kitchen can harbour grease deposits within the ductwork, so it must be removed regularly, in accordance with TR/19, the leading guidance document for ventilation hygiene, which is issued by the Building & Engineering Services Association (BESA.) TR/19 contains handy tables to tell you how frequently your ductwork should be cleaned, depending on the rate of grease build-up or initially on how often and for how many hours the kitchen is used for cooking. In a care home, there will obviously be a fairly high demand for meals and consequently, quite heavy use of the kitchen. It is essential that the kitchen ductwork is also accessible for TR/19 compliance cleaning, so if there are insufficient access points, you may need to have additional access doors retrofitted. Your laundry extract system may also pose a fire risk. During the drying process for bedding, clothes and other items, lint, fibres and dust collect in the ventilation ductwork for the driers. An accumulation of dust, lint and fibres is highly flammable and drier extract fires are all too frequent in the UK. These fibrous deposits must be removed on a regular basis, this time in compliance with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, in order to minimise this fire risk. If you have a mechanical ventilation system, that should also be cleaned regularly in accordance with TR/19, simply to ensure fresher air and a healthy indoor environment. This also requires you to classify your ventilation systems according to the function they serve as high, medium or low. If you have a clinically sterile area, this would probably need a high classification, while bedrooms and living areas would be medium. A boiler room might need a low classification. To provide ventilation, kitchen extract or laundry ductwork cleaning you will need a specialist provider, especially if additional access doors are required to be retrofitted. As compliance in these areas is a legal responsibility, you must have your compliance clearly documented. You may need this evidence in your defence, should the worst ever happen. It is worth bearing in mind that where there is negligence proved, your insurance company is unlikely to pay out, so it may be impossible to continue your business. We provide robust documentation of all our services. This includes before and after photography so you can demonstrate that you have complied with your legal responsibilities. You may need this as a defence against prosecution. You should always
Survey of surgeons highlights the importance of high quality surgical gloves
A survey of practising UK surgeons has highlighted the importance of investing in high quality surgical gloves to improve surgical safety and create long term value for the NHS. The survey, carried out by Creative Medical Research and commissioned by Mölnlycke, found that UK surgeons agree that using high quality surgical gloves: Provides greater long term value for the NHS Improves surgical efficiency and patient outcomes Plays an essential role in improving both clinician and patient safety Improved patient and clinician safety At a time when surgical gloves are often viewed within budget reconciliation as a commodity, chosen on price over quality, the results of the survey show that ensuring safety for surgeons, their teams and patients is at the forefront of clinicians’ minds. It revealed that nearly all (87%) surgeons believe that higher quality surgical gloves improve patient safety and (91%) improve clinician safety in the operating theatre. The majority of surgeons found that using high quality surgical gloves reduces the chance of sharps injuries during surgery.1 Infection prevention and control in the operating theatre is of critical importance to surgeons. 100,000 needlestick injuries occur in the NHS each year 2, at an estimated cost to each NHS Trust of £500,000 each year3. Qualitiative data from the survey highlighted serious concerns for surgeons and their team over exposure to blood borne viruses such as HIV. 92% of surgeons agreed that using high quality surgical gloves would reduce the chance of being exposed to blood borne viruses.1High quality means fewer glove failures4. A glove failure can be anything from a defect upon opening, an accidental tear upon donning to a puncture in use. One general surgeon said they had ‘seen glove failure lead to significant anxiety and the need to take post exposure prophylaxis’. Another with over twenty years’ experience said, ‘Sharps injuries increase the risk of blood borne infections as well as physical and psychological trauma and may involve time off sick’. Efficiencies and long term value As the NHS prepares its spending priorities for the next five years, the survey revealed that 70% of surgeons think high quality gloves provide more long term value to the NHS by ensuring the safety and efficient working of surgeons and their teams. Three quarters of surgeons responded that higher quality surgical gloves save time during operations, leading to greater efficiencies whilst the majority of surgeons agreed that investing in high quality gloves leads to long term cost savings and better outcomes for the NHS. Surgical gloves are one of the key factors that work together to prevent infections in the operating room and should not be viewed as a commodity. High quality means fewer glove failures4. What costs more? High quality or dealing with staff and patients exposure to infection? A surgical site infection can increase a patient’s hospital stay by an average of 16.8 days at a considerable cost to the taxpayer5. As one surgeon with over 10 years’ experience said, ‘Surgical site infections have enormous implications for cost, morbidity, and lengthened hospitalisation.’ The survey also demonstrated the clear preference amongst surgeons for Mölnlycke’s Biogel® Surgical Gloves, with more than three quarters of surgeons stating that Biogel was their preferred choice. The survey also found that 90% of surgeons recognise Biogel as a high quality glove.
Borough Care Marks the International Day of Older Persons
Borough Care, the largest not for profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, marked the International Day of Older Persons by celebrating the rich and diverse lives of residents in its eleven homes, along with the impact they have had on society. The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually on October 1st. Dr Mark Ward, CEO at Borough Care, says: “Many of our residents have led interesting lives and had a very positive impact on their local community and wider society. The International Day of Older Persons is a great way to mark the contribution older people have made, and continue to make, to our society. Many older people have interesting stories to tell and invaluable advice to give, which we can all benefit from.” Erika Sanders who lives at Borough Care’s Wellcroft in Gatley is one such resident. Erika, now 98 years young, is originally from the Czech Republic. She was one of the very last children to be taken out of Germany during the war for a new life in the UK. At one time, Erika could speak three different languages, Czech, German and English, but since she began suffering with dementia she now only converses in German. At the age of 22, Erika became the first female aircraft inspector for the Lancashire Bombers. Proving she was not someone to be messed with, during her career feisty Erika championed for equal pay and won. David Mills, who lives at Cawood House in Brinnington, has also led a life that has had a positive impact on those around him. David was a fire officer for Stockport at the time of the Stockport Air Disaster in 1967. He had just finished his shift when police knocked at his door to advise him of the plane crash. With the instruction to do whatever he could, David rushed to the scene to help out. David is immensely proud of the job he did and believes he and his colleagues did the best they possibly could when faced with such a monumental incident. The Stockport Air Disaster was one of the darkest days in the town’s history. On June 4 1967 a plane packed with holidaymakers crashed into wasteland near Stockport town centre. 72 of the 84 passengers and crew on board were killed. It is still the fourth worst disaster in British aviation history and continues to have a profound effect on the lives of countless people, including those like David who were part of the emergency services on that fateful day. Dr Mark Ward continues: “When older people move to a care home, their rich lives shouldn’t come to a standstill. At Borough Care, we encourage residents to share their experiences and continue to lead an active social life if they wish. We purposefully designed our new logo and strapline – ‘Life in Colour’ – to demonstrate our desire to lead a step change in the approach to care for older people and belief that every resident is unique and should be treated as such.” www.boroughcare.org.uk
Person Centred Software partners with PrivacyTrust to strengthen expertise on GDPR and data protection
Person Centred Software has partnered with PrivacyTrust, specialists in GDPR, to ensure its care home customers receive the very latest and up to date information about keeping on track with GDPR and data protection. On Wednesday 26th September Person Centred Software hosted the first in a series of joint webinars with PrivacyTrust, entitled ‘GDPR: What’s Next’ for care homes. The online discussion looked at how homes can keep care records secure and compliant, but still accessible for staff to update and read, whenever they need to. A recording of the event is available at www.personcentredsoftware.com/gdpr. Karen Cheeseman, a GDPR consultant at PrivacyTrust, hosted the webinar, alongside Andrew Coles, product manager at Person Centred Software. Karen outlined how care homes can review their processes and procedures to develop and build a framework that puts privacy strongly at the forefront of their organisation. She says, “Protecting personal data is vital and GDPR is an opportunity for businesses to add value and build a brand that can uses trust as their differentiator. GDPR is a welcome update to data protection within the UK and Europe.” Evidencing care and planning person-centred care electronically using Mobile Care Monitoring (MCM) from Person Centred Software, ensures GDPR compliance and enables care homes to provide the best possible care for their residents. With MCM, users are in full control of information as the data controller. They can control the privacy of care records, whilst MCM processes all the information to helps them to meet the data processing requirements of GDPR. Andrew Coles from Person Centred Software adds, “Technology can really help to maximise the effectiveness of care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Every staff member working in care needs the right tools to support them in their job, and this in turn can help them be recognised for the high quality, person-centred care they provide to residents.” As organisations that collect personal data, care homes need to comply with GDPR, the European wide legislation that affects how organisations collect, store and use personal data. GDPR is designed to modernise the laws that protect the personal data of individuals. It affects every part of a care home, giving greater rights to the individual and making organisations more accountable. https://personcentredsoftware.com
Rising Stars come to Person Centred Software for a Technology Day
Person Centred Software was delighted to host a Technology Day for the National Care Forum’s (NCF) Rising Stars on 20th September at its offices in Guildford. The Rising Stars are a group of eleven individuals working in social care who have been chosen for special development by NCF. The Technology Day is part of the annual programme that aims to develop the group’s knowledge and leadership skills through mentoring and activities. Person Centred Software is a partner of NCF and was pleased to share its knowledge of the technology industry with the Rising Stars and provide demonstrations of a wide range of innovative technologies, including GHM Care’s Nursecall integration. The group were guided on how to master technical jargon, the benefits that technology and data can deliver to social care and the importance of measuring care. They also discussed what the future of technology might look like in 5- or 20-years’ time. The day closed with a lively debate on the latest thinking in relation to government policy and technology. Vic Rayner, Executive Director of NCF said: “Technology impacts on every aspect of our daily life, and it is right that we understand the full potential for technology to support and drive forward better care. “This day facilitated by Person Centred Software provided a unique opportunity for the NCF Rising Stars to ask questions, explore options and understand exactly how they might utilise technology within their workplace. I know that the Rising Stars went away from the day full of ideas and thoughts about how they could champion the opportunities for technology to enhance and support the provision of quality person-centred care.” The Rising Stars who attended the Technology Day are: Lena Norman, Contract Manager from Cromwell Road, Look Ahead Care; Kemi Yusuf, Registered Home Manager at Ipstones Avenue, Accord Housing Association; Nick Rickwood, Registered Manager at Flowerdown House, RAFA; and Jamie Smith, Assistant Manager, Supported Living Services at EMH Care and Support. The 2018 Rising Stars are: Lena Norman, Contract Manager at Cromwell Road, Look Ahead Care Jamie Smith, Assistant Manager at Supported Living Services, EMH Care and Support Nick Rickwood, Registered Manager at Flowerdown House, RAFA Julie Veritiero, Registered Manager at Marbury House, Boroughcare Kemi Yusuf, Registered Home Manager at Ipstones Avenue, Accord Housing Association Sam Stuart, Registered Manager at Fairfield Care Home, WCS Care Caroline Coogan, Registered Manager at Home Hero’s, New Outlook Carl Jones, Service manager at Swallow Lodge, Making Space Nadine Webster, Home Manager at Cedar Lodge, MHA Catherine Haycock, Support Manager at Belong Morris Feinmann Care Village, Belong Anna Lewkowicz, Home Manager at Gregory House, The Order of St Johns Trust www.nationalcareforum.org.uk www.personcentredsoftware.com
Uniforms that give peace of mind
Working in a care and nursing home setting demands a uniform that’s reliable, comfortable and capable of working as hard as your valued staff do, too. With more than 100 years’ experience working in the healthcare industry, Grahame Gardner Ltd understands this need and is proud to offer one of the largest ranges of high-quality uniforms in the UK through its renowned Gg Collection. By drawing on its wealth of expertise, the team has developed, and recently added to, a large selection of garments perfect for healthcare and care home employees, from vibrant scrubs, fleeces and outerwear through to traditional tunics and trousers – all combining comfort and practicality with style. Organisations can also choose from Grahame Gardner’s extensive colour palette to create uniforms which represent their identity, and make employees feel proud to be a vital part of them whenever they put their uniform on. Simon Ward, group sales director at Grahame Gardner, said: “When you have a duty of care to those who are vulnerable, unwell, or in need of professional assistance, looking professional helps to reassure and comfort your patients. That’s why the Gg Collection provides an extensive range of professional, functional care and nursing home uniforms. “From head to toe, our range contains everything your staff many need – from tunics and scrubs, to trousers and shoes. No matter how tough the demands of the job are, our hard-wearing uniforms are up to the challenge, providing your team and your patients with that all-important extra peace of mind.” Grahame Gardner can also customise uniforms and copy virtually any design or logo directly onto some garments through state-of-the-art printing techniques, embroidery and monogramming. Other benefits include free UK mainland postage and packaging on all orders over £99, next day delivery, a selection of brands to choose from, a live chat web facility and a Made-to-Order option – which provides fully-bespoke workwear. But importantly, and key to the company’s success, is knowing what their customers want and providing an extensive range of options to meet that need. Added Simon: “Providing excellent customer service goes without saying for us. At Grahame Gardner, we spend a lot of our time talking to our much-valued clients about their priorities when it comes to workwear so we know what works for them and what they need from us. “In addition we are currently running an exclusive offer for readers of Care & Nursing Essentials which sees you get 30% off your order between now and 30 November 2018. Visit www.grahamegardner.co.uk/cn2018 for your code and more information, or call 0116 255 6326.”
MOWOOT Chronic Constipation Therapy Device
MOWOOT – the Natural Solution to Chronic Constipation MOWOOT is a new abdominal massage therapy system for chronic constipation. MOWOOT treats, manages and prevents chronic constipation without laxatives, enemas and colon cleansing supplements. MOWOOT is designed for home use and for use in clinics, hospitals and care homes. MOWOOT is compact, portable and easy to use. MOWOOT is light to carry and features a handle for easy lifting during moving from room to room and during travel or transportation. MOWOOT overview Safe, effective and clinically proven Helps to achieve regular and easier bowel movements Reduces discomfort and pain associated with constipation Eliminates intestinal gasses Reduces pain associated with abdominal bloating Reduces discomfort caused by evacuation Reduces time spent in the bathroom Improves health and wellbeing Improves appetite Improves quality of life Easy to use, comfortable and pleasant in use Convenient non-invasive and non-irritating treatment Cheaper than long-term ongoing purchases of laxatives Can be used sitting or lying down, thus utilising time Daily sessions of 10 to 20 minutes duration Improvements achieved as early as 3 to 7 days after first treatment Long-term use delivers lasting health benefits Treats 1 or 2 people simultaneously, as required Mains powered Medical device (CE 0086) 2 years warranty MOWOOT mimics manual abdominal massage normally performed by therapists, nurses or carers. Abdominal massage speeds up intestinal transit in people with chronic constipation and relieves constipation. MOWOOT is clinically proven to double evacuation frequency, soften stools, improve regularity, reduce gasses and bloating, relieve abdominal discomfort and effectively combat chronic constipation. MOWOOT can help people commonly suffering with chronic constipation, such as people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, people with constipation caused by taking certain medications, menopausal and post-menopausal women and the elderly people. Non-invasive and drug-free, MOWOOT abdominal massage therapy does not have side-effects associated with pharmacological anti-constipation interventions. MOWOOT therapy does not lose its effectiveness with long-term use. Comfortable and simple to use day after day, MOWOOT delivers effective solution to problems of chronic constipation. Regular daily use of MOWOOT alleviates constipation and improves quality of life! Just 10 – 20 minutes per day of MOWOOT abdominal massage produces improvements and significant results in only 3 – 7 days after the first treatment. Positive health benefits and greater quality of life are achieved with long-term daily use. MOWOOT abdominal massageis pleasant and relaxing. You can use MOWOOT sitting or lying down, when relaxing, reading, watching TV or working on your computer. MOWOOT is a desk top device with massage delivered via 4 independently attachable massage treatment belts. During treatment, a massage treatment belt is wrapped round the waist of the treated person. MOWOOT can treat 1 person or 2 people simultaneously as the MOWOOT desk top unit can connect with 1 or 2 treatment belts. This makes MOWOOT very convenient for use in family settings with more than one chronic constipation sufferer and in care homes, where many people may need constipation relief treatment. MOWOOT massage treatment belts are made in 4 sizes and you simply choose the belt in your size. One MOWOOT device can treat more than one person, provided a belt in appropriate size is available. MOWOOT is a Class 2 Medical Device (CE 0086). For more info on MOWOOT contact Win Health Medical Ltd by phone on 01835 864866 or via e-mail to info@win-health.com or visit www.win-health.com Win Health Medical Ltd Unit 1, Oxnam Road Industrial Estate Jedburgh, TD8 6LS T: 01835 864866 / F: 01835 268136 E: info@win-health.com/ W: www.win-health.com M: https://www.win-health.com/mowoot2-chronic-constipation-therapy-system
Sweetheat Heated Delivery Bags
Sweetheat of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire manufacture its award winning Sweetheat Heated Delivery Bags System for the Home Delivery of Piping Hot Food. The Sweetheat Heated Delivery Bags System ensures food is delivered Piping Hot each and every time with its built in Heated Technology at 90 Degrees Celcius. Customers include County Council Meals on Wheels Services, Hospitals, Independent Delivery Services,Theme Parks and Restaurants The System consists of 4 Delivery Bags and a 4 Tier Shelving Unit with a built in Transformer. Once the food is packaged it can be put straight into the Delivery bags and given to the driver. The Sweetheat Bags will remain Hot for a good 30-40 minutes. www.sweetheat.co.uk
Braving the blustery weather for a trip to Skegness
CHESTERFIELD care home residents braved the blustery, wet weather for a trip to Skegness. Residents at Holmewood Care Home, on Barnfield Close, spent the day strolling along the seafront, tucking into fish and chips and playing games in the arcade. Resident Kathleen Leivesley said: “Skegness has always been a holiday destination for my family and we never missed our annual trip.” Fellow resident Pat Greaves said: “I used to travel abroad and go on cruises and I always looked forward to the casinos. The arcades were a lovely reminder.” Kathleen Richardson, home manager at Holmewood Care Home, said: “Despite the wind and the threat of rain, residents in Holmewood loved every single moment of being out and exploring their most popular holiday destination – Skegness. “They were all thrilled from the start, when we were planning the trip, through to getting on the bus to come home. Everyone came back with smiles on their faces, despite the weather and long journey.” Holmewood Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
