Germs (e.g. bacteria, viruses, spores etc) live in or on some parts of the body (e.g. skin, mouth, intestinal tract) and are known as the body’s normal flora. Normal skin flora is present on the skin continuously, and is essential for good health. These germs rarely cause infection and are difficult to remove by normal hand hygiene techniques, although the numbers of germs will be reduced by this process. Not all upon our skin are normal flora, many germs are passed on from other people, or the environment, and these germs are known as transient. These do not live permanently on the skin and are readily removed or destroyed by thorough and frequent hand washing. These germs have the ability to cause illness, and so effective and thorough hand washing is vitally important both among staff and learnerlearners alike. The reservoirs of infection A reservoir of infection is anything in which a germ normally lives and multiplies. The reservoir typically harbours the germ without injury to itself and serves as a source from which others can be infected. Examples of reservoirs of germs may be people, the environment, equipment, food or animals. For example an individual with diarrhoea may act as a source of infection to others because the germs are present in some faeces and can be passed on to others. Point of entry Every germ needs to have an entry point into the human body; different germs have different ways of achieving this. For example, Salmonella bacteria need to enter the body through the mouth. Tuberculosis enters our bodies through the nose and mouth and then passes into the lungs and other parts of the body. Hepatitis B virus can enter the body via the bloodstream or mucous membranes. Point of exit As well as needing an entry point, germs also need an exit point. Salmonella
Soft toys. Machine wash on as hot a wash as can tolerate, and dry thoroughly as item can tolerate. At least weekly. Any visibly soiled items should be removed and cleaned immediately. If item cannot be washed on high temperature it should be disposed of. Please see laundry section for details. Water play equipment. Wash with hand hot water and detergent, rinse and dry. Ensure clean and dry before storing. when in use. Remove water at end of each day’s play and dry. Replace water when visibly soiled during the day’s play. Item How to Clean Routinely * Frequency Comments Play dough and Plasticine. Wash cutting tools using detergent and hand hot water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. At once a week. Play dough and plasticine should be replaced regularly, in line with manufacturers’ instructions. Store homemade play dough in airtight container and replace weekly or sooner if contamination occurs.
Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidium is a parasite, a living thing (organism) that lives in, or on, another organism. It can infect your bowels and cause 'cryptosporidiosis' which is a type of bowel infection, which leads to diarrhoea and vomiting. Infection can occur in humans and animals and is spread by contact with soil, water, food or surfaces that have been contaminated by infected faeces containing the parasite. learners are most likely to become infected and outbreaks have been associated with handling lambs in both open farm and education settings. Symptoms usually last for up to two weeks, sometimes longer. Animal health Do Ensure all animals are regularly groomed and checked for signs of infection or illness Ensure animals are regularly exercised and given appropriate housing and food Seek diagnosis and treatment from a vet if animals become ill Keep animal feeding areas clean. Animals should have their own feeding dishes and utensils, which should be washed separately from other dishes and utensils. Younger learners should only be allowed access to feeding dishes under adult supervision Keep containers of animal food separate from food for human consumption Remove food which has not been consumed by the animal Clean and disinfect all cages, living areas and equipment regularly. Farm/ zoo visits Guidance and a Code of Practice regarding Preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact at visitor attractions can be found at [Date accessed 25th November 2016]. Whilst visiting farms and zoos are popular, there are a number of infections that can be passed on to learners and staff from infected animals. Serious outbreaks have been associated with visits to farms and zoos (e.g. E.coli 0157).
Rashes/ Skin Infections Infection or Complaint Period individual to be kept away from educational Setting/ child minder Comments Athlete’s foot None, attendance at discretion of health care professional. Athlete’s foot is not a serious condition. Treatment is recommended. Chickenpox all vesicles (blisters) have crusted over. See: Pregnant at section and Vulnerable Individuals at Section 18 . Cold sores, (Herpes simplex) None, attendance at discretion of health care professional. kissing and contact with the sores. Cold sores are generally mild and self-limiting. German measles (rubella)* Four days from of rash. Preventable by vaccination and contained within the UK routine immunisation schedule (MMR x2 doses). See: Pregnant Women at section 18. Hand, foot and None, attendance at discretion of health care professional. Contact your Health Protection Team if a large number of learners are affected. Keeping individuals from the setting may be considered in some circumstances. Impetigo affected areas are crusted and healed, or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic treatment speeds healing and reduces the infectious period. Measles* Four days from of rash. Preventable by vaccination and contained within the UK routine immunisation schedule (MMR x2). See: Pregnant Women and Vulnerable Individuals at Section 18. Molluscum contagiosum None, attendance at discretion of health care professional. A self-limiting condition. Ringworm None, attendance at discretion of health care professional. Treatment is required. Roseola (infantum) None, attendance at discretion of health care professional. None. Scabies Individual can return after first treatment. Household and close contacts require treatment. Scarlet fever* Individual can return 24 after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic treatment is recommended for the affected
Infection or Complaint Period individual to be kept away from Educational Setting/ child minder Comments Diarrhoea and/or vomiting 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. E. coli O157 VTEC Typhoid* [and paratyphoid*] (enteric fever) Shigella (dysentery) Should be kept away from setting for 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea. Some individuals may need to be kept away from setting until they are no longer excreting. Learners aged 5 years or younger and those who have difficulty in maintaining good personal hygiene need to be kept away from the education setting until there is proof they are not carrying the germ (microbiological clearance)adhering to hygiene practices need to be kept away from setting. This guidance may also apply to some people the individual has been in contact with that may also require microbiological clearance. Please consult your local Health Protection Team for further advice. Cryptosporidiosis Keep away from setting for 48 from the last episode of diarrhoea. Individuals should not be permitted to swim for two weeks after the last bout of diarrhoea has ended. Respiratory Illness Infection or Complaint Period individual to be kept away from Educational Setting/ child Comments
2 Drinking water supplies of any sort are NOT located in toilet areas Settings should ensure that a supply of wholesome drinking is available, free of charge with communication provided to clearly identify its location 3 Individual water bottles retained in setting should: Be washed at the end of the day in hand hot water and detergent, rinsed and left to air-dry upside down/washed in a dishwasher Filled in the morning with drinking water taken from a mains water supply be labeled with the learners name Cleaning toilet areas Good Practice Compliant Y/N/ or N/A Actions Required 1 There is a designated person/company responsible for cleaning the toilet areas 2 There is a written cleaning schedule for toilet areas including: Frequency of cleaning toilet areas Cleaning procedure following a of vomit/faeces/urine/blood COSHH assessment sheets
STANDARD 3: THE ENVIRONMENT – TOILETS/CONTINENCE PAD CHANGE FACILITIES SHOULD BE MANAGED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INFECTION TO LEARNERS, STAFF AND VISITORS Toilet Areas Question Guidance √ X N/A Comment on how this is achieved 1 Are there dedicated hand washing facilities for staff in all toilet areas? 2 Do staff have separate toilet facilities to learners? 3 Are the toilet(s) visibly clean? Check visually. Toilet seats, flushes and toilet bowls are cleaned at least daily and any contamination is cleaned immediately 4 Are toilet(s) in a good state of repair? Check for damage 5 Is there a mechanism to ensure that toilet cleaning can be carried out as needed? Check for a supply of detergent wipes or other cleaner 6 Are toilets free from inappropriate items? Check for items that are not used in a toilet Continence Change Facilities Question Guidance √ X N/A Comment on how this is achieved 1 Are there dedicated hand washing facilities for staff in the continence pad change areas? The facilities should be located in the continence pad change area (should not have to leave the room to hand