Infection Control & Incontinence

Over the last few years care homes and care facilities have been more and more conscious about cross contamination and infection control. This means that that the spread of germs and bacteria is limited as much as possible and reduces the risk of illness and infection to residents, staff and visitors.
Why is there more focus on this?
Infections has always been a big problem for care homes and hospitals because germs are invisible and can be easily missed and spread very quickly, this can put people who are vulnerable to getting even sicker at risk of a longer stay in hospital  and in some instances can lead to death.
How does infection spread?
Infections spread from person to person when germs are able to leave the body and be transported into another body, this can occur when changing an incontinence diaper, dressing a wound or inhaling air bound germs from a sneeze.
We can do a number of things to minimize risk:

• Wash hands properly before and after every medical related task
• Sanitize hands during a visit at a care home or hospital with alcohol hand gel
• Handle any items that may have germs on in the correct way
• Wear examination gloves when dealing with bodily fluids, never
• Don’t reuse medical gloves always dispose off after use

Nursing and care homes tend use a number of ways to dispose of soled linen by using red alginate bags to transport linen limits the amount of contact to soiled clothes. Simply put soiled clothing in the bag and seal.
Once this is sealed it can be transported direct to the laundry area or washing machine and put into a wash, the alginate strip will disintegrate allowing the clothes to be washed.
When the wash has finished the bag can be removed and  clothes can be handled.
For more information on deals on infection controls products and continence products please call 01704 553 773 or view a selection of our products on-line.