Infection Control CQC Checklist for Care Homes.

Use this checklist to complement safety at your workplace by guiding teams through essential infection-control expectations. Designed to cover all key IPC areas for CQC compliance, it also helps you evaluate adherence to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections).

CQC Infection Control Checklist

About This Checklist

This comprehensive checklist covers all key areas of infection prevention and control (IPC) required for CQC compliance. Use it to assess your service's adherence to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections).

👔 Leadership and Governance

IPC Lead Appointed A designated infection prevention and control lead is in post with sufficient time and authority to carry out responsibilities.

Board Level Oversight IPC is a regular agenda item at board/management meetings with clear accountability structures.

IPC Policy and Procedures Up-to-date policies are in place, accessible to all staff, and reviewed annually or when practice changes.

Annual IPC Statement An annual statement on IPC is produced demonstrating how the service meets the Code of Practice requirements.

Risk Assessment Process Regular IPC risk assessments are conducted with actions documented and monitored.

📚 Training and Education

Mandatory IPC Training All staff receive mandatory IPC training on induction and annually, with records maintained.

Hand Hygiene Training Comprehensive hand hygiene training is provided with competency assessments and audit results.

PPE Training Staff are trained in correct donning, doffing, and disposal of personal protective equipment.

Training Compliance Monitoring Training compliance is monitored with systems in place to ensure 100% completion rates.

Specialist Training for IPC Lead The IPC lead has received appropriate specialist training and attends regular updates.

🧼 Hand Hygiene

Hand Hygiene Facilities Adequate handwashing facilities with liquid soap and paper towels are available at all points of care.

Alcohol Hand Gel Availability Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is readily available at the point of care throughout the service.

Hand Hygiene Audits Regular hand hygiene audits are conducted with results analyzed and action plans implemented.

Hand Hygiene Promotion Visible signage and posters promote the 5 moments of hand hygiene.

Bare Below Elbows Staff adhere to bare below the elbows policy with no jewelry, watches, or false nails worn during care.

🥽 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE Availability Adequate stocks of all types of PPE (gloves, aprons, masks, eye protection) are maintained and easily accessible.

PPE Selection Guidance Clear guidance is available on appropriate PPE selection based on risk assessment and task.

PPE Compliance Audits Regular audits of PPE use are conducted with feedback provided to staff.

Single-Use PPE Policy Single-use PPE is discarded after each patient/task with no reuse of disposable items.

PPE Waste Disposal Used PPE is disposed of correctly in appropriate waste streams immediately after use.

🧹 Environmental Cleaning and Decontamination

Cleaning Schedules Documented cleaning schedules are in place and followed for all areas with frequency based on risk.

Cleaning Products and Equipment Appropriate cleaning products and equipment are available with clear instructions for use.

High-Touch Surface Cleaning High-touch surfaces (door handles, light switches, handrails) are cleaned frequently throughout the day.

Cleanliness Audits Regular environmental cleanliness audits are conducted with scoring systems and action plans.

Spillage Procedures Clear procedures for managing blood and body fluid spillages are in place with spill kits available.

Deep Cleaning Protocols Deep cleaning is conducted after infectious cases and following discharge/transfer of patients.

🗑️ Waste Management

Waste Segregation Waste is correctly segregated at point of production into appropriate color-coded bags/bins.

Clinical Waste Disposal Clinical waste is stored securely and collected by licensed contractors with records maintained.

Sharps Management Sharps bins are used correctly, not overfilled, and disposed of according to regulations.

Waste Management Training All staff are trained in correct waste segregation and disposal procedures.

Waste Storage Areas Waste storage areas are secure, clean, and protected from weather and pests.

🔧 Equipment and Device Decontamination

Decontamination Policy Clear policy on decontamination of reusable equipment is in place and followed.

Single-Use Equipment Single-use equipment is used where possible and disposed of immediately after use.

Equipment Cleaning Between Patients Shared equipment is cleaned and disinfected between each patient use.

Equipment Maintenance Equipment is maintained and serviced according to manufacturer's instructions with records kept.

Decontamination Facilities Adequate facilities and equipment for decontamination are available and fit for purpose.

💉 Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT)

ANTT Policy and Procedures ANTT procedures are documented and staff are trained in their application.

Invasive Procedures ANTT is used for all invasive procedures including catheterization, wound care, and IV therapy.

Aseptic Technique Competency Staff competency in aseptic technique is assessed regularly with observations documented.

Sterile Field Maintenance Sterile fields are prepared correctly and maintained throughout procedures.

📊 Infection Surveillance and Monitoring

Infection Surveillance System A system for identifying, recording, and investigating healthcare-associated infections is in place.

Infection Rate Analysis Infection rates are monitored, analyzed, and compared against benchmarks with trends identified.

Outbreak Management An outbreak management plan is in place with clear escalation procedures.

Reporting to External Bodies Required infections are reported to public health authorities and commissioners as mandated.

Root Cause Analysis Investigations and root cause analysis are conducted for serious infections with learning shared.

💊 Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antibiotic Prescribing Policy Clear antimicrobial prescribing guidelines are in place and followed by prescribers.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead A designated lead for antimicrobial stewardship is in post with clear responsibilities.

Prescribing Audits Regular audits of antimicrobial prescribing are conducted with feedback to prescribers.

Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Antimicrobial resistance patterns are monitored and used to inform prescribing decisions.

🚪 Isolation and Cohorting

Isolation Facilities Appropriate isolation facilities are available when required for infectious patients.

Isolation Risk Assessment Risk assessments are conducted to determine need for isolation and appropriate precautions.

Isolation Signage Clear signage is displayed outside isolation rooms indicating required precautions.

Isolation Procedures Staff understand and follow isolation procedures including use of dedicated equipment.

Cohorting Strategies Cohorting of patients with same infection is implemented when isolation rooms unavailable.

🧺 Linen and Laundry Management

Linen Segregation Used and infectious linen is segregated correctly into appropriate bags at point of use.

Linen Handling Procedures Staff handle soiled linen with minimal agitation and use appropriate PPE.

Clean Linen Storage Clean linen is stored in clean, dry areas away from used linen and clinical waste.

Laundry Service Standards Laundry services meet appropriate thermal disinfection standards or use approved alternatives.

🍽️ Food Hygiene and Kitchen Safety

Food Hygiene Rating The service has a Food Standards Agency rating of 4 or 5 (or equivalent).

Food Handler Training All food handlers have received appropriate Level 2 food hygiene training.

Temperature Monitoring Food storage and cooking temperatures are monitored and recorded regularly.

Kitchen Hygiene Standards Kitchen areas are maintained to high standards of cleanliness with regular deep cleaning.

💧 Water Safety and Legionella

Legionella Risk Assessment Up-to-date Legionella risk assessment is in place with control measures implemented.

Water Temperature Monitoring Hot and cold water temperatures are monitored monthly with records maintained.

Outlet Flushing Little-used outlets are flushed weekly to prevent water stagnation.

Water System Maintenance Water systems are serviced and descaled according to risk assessment recommendations.

⚕️ Occupational Health and Staff Immunization

Pre-Employment Screening Pre-employment health screening includes infectious disease history and immunization status.

Staff Immunization Program Staff are offered appropriate immunizations including flu, COVID-19, and hepatitis B where indicated.

Immunization Records Confidential records of staff immunization status are maintained and monitored.

Sharps Injury Management Clear procedures for managing sharps injuries and blood/body fluid exposures are in place.

Fitness to Work Policy Clear policy on staff exclusion when unwell with infectious illness is communicated and followed.

📋 Documentation and Record Keeping

IPC Meeting Minutes Minutes from IPC meetings are documented with actions, responsibilities, and timescales recorded.

Audit Documentation All IPC audits are documented with results, action plans, and evidence of improvements.

Infection Incident Reports All infections and IPC incidents are recorded on incident reporting systems.

Visitor and Contractor Records Systems are in place to track visitors and contractors for contact tracing purposes.