PPE Infection Control Guide

Care Home PPE & Infection Control Guide: Meeting CQC Requirements

Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control supplies are fundamental to care quality, regulatory compliance, and resident safety. This comprehensive guide helps care homes, healthcare facilities, and home care providers understand PPE requirements, select appropriate supplies, and maintain adequate stock levels for CQC and Care Inspectorate compliance.

What is PPE & Infection Control?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control supplies protect both care staff and residents from the transmission of infectious diseases. Proper use of PPE is a legal requirement under CQC Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) and forms the foundation of infection prevention in care settings.

Why PPE & Infection Control Matter:

Regulatory requirements:

• CQC Regulation 12 mandates infection prevention
• Care Inspectorate requires documented procedures
• Protects vulnerable residents

Infection risks:

• Residents 5x more likely to acquire infections
• HAIs affect 15-30% of residents annually
• Proper PPE reduces transmission by 75-90%

Essential PPE for Care Homes

1. Disposable Nitrile Gloves

Why nitrile gloves are essential:

• Latex-free - No allergy risk
• 3x more puncture-resistant than latex
• Chemical resistant
• Excellent tactile sensitivity
• Powder-free

Best for: Personal care, medication handling, cleaning, food preparation, wound care

Usage: 8-12 gloves per resident per day

2. Disposable Plastic Aprons

Required for: Personal care, toileting, laundry handling, food service, any contamination risk

Usage: 5-8 aprons per resident per day

3. Face Masks (Type IIR)

Required for: Respiratory illness outbreaks, wound dressing, symptomatic staff

Specifications: Type IIR rating, BFE >98%, ear loops, nose wire

4. Eye Protection

Required for: Blood/body fluid splash risk, contaminated area cleaning

Options: Safety glasses with side shields, face visors

Infection Control Supplies

1. Surface Disinfection Wipes

Clinell Universal Wipes - Industry Standard

• Kills 99.99% of germs in 10 seconds
• Effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi
• Single-step clean and disinfect
• Safe on all care equipment

Daily use: Commodes, bed rails, wheelchairs, walking frames, touch points

Stock levels: 1-2 wipes per resident per day

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2. Hand Hygiene Products

Alcohol Hand Sanitizer (70% minimum)

Essential placement: Every resident room entrance, care home entrance, dining rooms, medication trolleys, staff stations

Liquid Hand Soap

Required for: C. difficile, norovirus, visibly soiled hands, food preparation

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3. Patient Wipes

Essential for maintaining dignity when bathing not possible. pH balanced, gentle cleansing, single-use packets.

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4. Disinfectants & Cleaning Chemicals

General Surface Disinfectant: EN 14476 virucidal, EN 1276 bactericidal

Chlorine-Based Disinfectant: Required for C. difficile and norovirus outbreaks

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5. Laundry & Waste Management

Colour-Coded Laundry Bags:

• White/Clear: Standard wash
• Red: Infected linen
• Yellow: Contaminated with body fluids

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Requirements by Care Setting

Care Homes & Residential Facilities

• 4-6 week minimum PPE stock
• Multiple hand hygiene stations
• Disinfectant wipes in every room
• Outbreak contingency stock
• Staff training on correct PPE use

Home Care Providers

• Portable PPE kits for each carer
• Hand sanitizer for between visits
• Individual supplies per client visit
• Clear protocols for different tasks

CQC Compliance Checklist

Documentation required:

• ✓ Infection prevention policy (reviewed annually)
• ✓ PPE stock records
• ✓ Staff training records
• ✓ Outbreak management plan
• ✓ Cleaning schedules

Practical observations:

• ✓ PPE readily available at point of use
• ✓ Hand hygiene facilities accessible
• ✓ Staff using PPE correctly
• ✓ Chemicals stored safely (COSHH)
• ✓ Clinical waste segregated correctly

Stock Level Planning

Example: 20-bed Care Home

Nitrile Gloves: 60 boxes monthly (6,000 gloves)

Disposable Aprons: 8 rolls monthly (3,600 aprons)

Clinell Wipes: 15-20 tubs monthly (3,000 wipes)

Outbreak contingency: Triple normal stock levels

Budget Considerations

Item	Monthly Quantity	Cost
Nitrile gloves	60 boxes	£360
Disposable aprons	8 rolls	£96
Clinell wipes	20 tubs	£120
Hand sanitizer	2x 5L	£30
Disinfectant	2x 5L	£36
TOTAL MONTHLY		£642

Per resident per month: £32 | Annual budget: £7,704

Cost-saving tips: Bulk buying (save 10-20%), trade accounts, proper stock rotation

Open Trade Account

Staff Training Essentials

Donning & Doffing Order

Putting on: Hand hygiene → Apron → Mask → Eye protection → Gloves

Removing: Gloves → Apron → Eye protection → Mask → Hand hygiene

Hand Hygiene: The 5 Moments

1. Before touching a resident
2. Before clean/aseptic procedures
3. After body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a resident
5. After touching resident surroundings

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we reuse disposable PPE?

No. Disposable PPE is single-use only. Reuse increases infection risk and breaches regulations.

What's the shelf life of PPE?

Gloves: 3-5 years. Masks: 3-5 years. Disinfectant wipes: 2 years. Always rotate stock.

Why nitrile instead of latex?

Nitrile is latex-free (no allergy risk), stronger, chemical-resistant, and suitable for all care tasks.

Are all products VAT exempt?

Yes, all care supplies qualify for VAT relief when purchased for disabled or elderly users.

Next Steps: Shop PPE & Infection Control

Browse our complete range:

• Protective Clothing (Gloves, Aprons, Masks)
• Clinell Wipes & Surface Disinfection
• Patient Wipes for Personal Care
• Disinfectants & Cleaning Chemicals
• Hand Hygiene Products
• Laundry Supplies

Delivery Information

Order by 4pm for next-day delivery on orders over £75 (UK mainland). We supply direct to care homes, NHS facilities, and private customers.

Need bulk pricing? Open a Trade Account for volume discounts and monthly invoicing.

Expert advice available: Our team supports care homes daily with PPE procurement, CQC compliance, and cost-effective stock management.