A looming CQC inspection can feel overwhelming, but with the right cleaning checklist you can feel confident that your practice will meet the cleanliness and compliance standards set by inspectors.
At Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors we understand the importance of cleanliness in healthcare settings
Our comprehensive hospital cleaning services are designed to meet the highest standards of hygiene and safety to ensure that your healthcare facility complies with stringent regulations.
This cleaning checklist will explain the meaning of CQC inspections, providing you with clear guidance on how to pass with flying colours.
What is a CQC inspection?
A CQC inspection is an inspection carried out by the Care Quality Commission who regulate health and social care services in England.
Their goal is to ensure care providers are safe, effective and high quality and are meeting the legal standards set out by the government.
What are the CQC’s key lines of enquiry when it comes to cleanliness and infection?
The key lines of enquiry are structured around five key questions.
Here’s how they relate to cleanliness and infection, giving you an indication for what inspectors are looking for.
- Safe
Are people protected from abuse and harm?
- Are there clear infection control policies that all staff follow?
- Are risks managed effectively?
- Are staff trained in infection control and prevention?
- How well are people protected?
- Effective
Does care, treatment and support achieve good outcomes and promote a good quality of life?
- Are infection control practices evaluated for effectiveness?
- Caring
Do staff involve and treat people with compassion, kindness and dignity?
- Are people’s dignity and privacy maintained when isolation or PPE is needed?
- Do staff explain infection control methods in an understandable way?
- Responsive
Are services organised to meet the needs of the people?
- Are cleaning routines responsive to changing circumstances e.g. high traffic areas?
- Well-led
Are the leadership and management of the company ensuring high quality care?
- Are audits, incidents and learning reviewed at meetings?
- Is there evidence of continuous improvement and accountability?
What are the daily cleaning protocols for clinical and treatment areas?
These are classed as high-risk areas and therefore require daily and in-between patient cleaning.
You should ensure:
A) The effective disinfection of treatment areas, surfaces and equipment.
This includes:
- The cleaning of treatment chairs between each patient using a detergent or disinfectant wipe.
- The cleaning of worktops and clinical trolleys between each patient with a disposal cloth.
- The cleaning of key touch point areas, including handles and keypads with disinfectant wipes.
- The cleaning of reusable medical devices such as thermometers between patients.
- The disposal of single use equipment.
- The daily clean of IT equipment with disinfectant wipes.
B) The correct colour coding cleaning systems and waste segregation.
Implementing the correct colour coding cleaning systems and waste segregation areas is incredibly important in preventing cross contamination.
Areas which need to be cleaned are categorised in a colour coded system.
RED represents bathrooms, washrooms, showers, toilets, basins and bathroom floors.
BLUE represents general areas, which include wards, departments, offices and basins in public areas.
GREEN represents catering departments including the patient food services.
YELLOW represents areas of isolation.
Waste segregation ensures the safe disposal of materials which reduces the risk of infection spreading.
Bin bags are colour coded, with charts describing the system required in waste disposal areas.
YELLOW and BLACK striped bin bags are for non-infectious materials.
ORANGE are for infectious waste that is not chemically contaminated.
YELLOW are for infectious clinical waste that may be chemically contaminated.
A CQC inspector will be checking that colour coded charts are clearly displayed, with waste posters placed near the bin storage.
Staff must be able to confidently describe the systems, with evidence that they are accurately using it.
What weekly and monthly deep cleaning tasks need to be complete for full compliance?
The standards for floor and upholstery cleaning in healthcare practices:
The floors throughout health care organisations must be cleaned every day with a neutral detergent.
Spot cleaning may be needed across the day, and a full deep clean with a machine is required weekly.
The chosen upholstery must be wipeable, waterproof and in a good condition.
There should be no fabrics that have absorbent qualities in treatment areas and must all be wiped down daily.
Legs and bases of chairs must be deep cleaned on a weekly basis.
The decontamination of non-clinical areas
Non-clinical areas include hospital waiting rooms, receptions and public bathrooms.
Surfaces such as chairs, tables, counters, door handles, and floors must be cleaned daily.
Public bathrooms must be cleaned twice daily, including the floor and mirrors, taps, handles and flushes.
Soap and paper towel dispensers must be regularly checked and restocked.
The importance of documentation and auditing when demonstrating compliance
Why is it important to maintain accurate cleaning schedules?
The CQC inspector will be looking for well documented, up to date cleaning schedules that show that the service is well-led, safe and effective.
The schedule should state who is responsible for that task, what needs cleaning and how often the service should be completed.
This will ensure that the hospital remains a clean and safe environment, which is actively combatting the spread of infection.
Effective cleaning schedules also serve as legal evidence when it comes to the inspection.
Why is it important to keep records of staff training and competency?
A CQC inspector will always check for evidence that staff are trained and competent in infection prevention and control.
This includes the process of cleaning and waste management.
Having regularly monitored staff training records allow managers to identify areas where further training is required.
They also act as legal evidence to prove that the organisation is working actively to ensure staff were competent in preventing infection.
How can a specialist cleaning company guarantee that you will receive CQC compliance?
Specialist cleaning partners are experts when it comes to health cleaning standards and regulations.
They apply their expert knowledge to structured processes, creating tailored cleaning schedules for every area of health care facilities.
How can Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors help you pass your CQC inspection?
Here at Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors, we offer comprehensive hospital cleaning services designed to meet the highest standards of hygiene and safety.
We provide the meticulous sanitisation of patient rooms and clinical areas, specialising in high traffic, high risk areas.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.