Germ Busting care home campaign helps reduce hospital admissions

A Quantum Care ‘Germ Busting’ campaign has helped reduce hospital admissions.

The Hertfordshire based provider’s initiative aimed to reduce the incidence of respiratory conditions and other illness such as Norovirus through raising staff and resident awareness of infection control.

Chief Executive Maria Ball said: “At Quantum Care, we see it as our duty to provide information and support to staff, residents, families and communities to help them to remain well over the winter months when these illnesses are most prevalent.

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“The Germ Busting campaign has really focussed everybody on some of the very simple things they can do to prevent the spread of infection and it is this type of partnership working that will help to ease the pressures on both our local health services and hospitals.”

The campaign included issuing messages to staff on their payslips, detailing what they could do personally to reduce the amount of illness in their homes, a ‘Germ Busting Roadshow’ which involved the Support Services Team visiting every home to talk to staff about infection control and hygiene issues, and an Infection Control Poster competition for residents.

In addition, Quantum Care introduced an Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) Champion in every home. The role of the IPC Champion is to have an overview of all things IPC, as well as being able to give advice and support to staff, residents and visitors. Each Champion is also invited to attend a bi-monthly meeting where they receive regular training and updates.