Infection Control during the Festivities

• December 18, 2023

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and hope you all enjoy the festivities. Thank you to Swindon Borough Council for reminding everyone of the importance of Infection Control throughout the holidays with the following suggestions:

• Decorations should preferably be single season use and disposed of when taken down unless they are washable/wipeable with a disinfectant which destroys bacteria and viruses.
• To facilitate frequent cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, try to avoid putting decorations on horizontal surfaces keeping them free from clutter.
• Ideally, decorations should only be hung or displayed on walls, i.e. so they cannot be touched
• Residents can display their own artificial Christmas tree and decorations in their room, surface dust can be removed with soft cloth
• Avoid using wood, straw or live trees, artificial trees are more preferable
• No decorations should be displayed in clinical rooms
• Provide hand hygiene opportunities at several points for staff, residents and guests to sanitise regularly.
• Ventilation is key – ensure maximum ventilation and natural airflow is encouraged
• Place Christmas trees in an area where contact or touching is minimal. If appropriate, arrange a discrete boundary around the tree.
• Display cloth and knitted toys where they can’t be touched.
• Remember to stay ‘bare below the elbows’ and take off rings and false nails to maintain hand hygiene standards.
• Make sure everyone washes their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after preparing, serving, and eating food. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available.
• Check expiry dates on cleaning products including hand soap and sanitiser. Soap will go “off” as it contains oils (will typically last 2-3 years), soap should smell fine, not be mouldy and still lather – dispose of any expired products appropriately.
• Avoid decorations in frequently touched points, including handrails or bed bumpers
• Encourage visitors to wear masks and provide masks for visitors if required
• A common sense approach and discussions with Health and Safety/Fire Advisors/Infection Prevention and Control and staff in clinical areas should ensure that suitable decorations can be agreed and placed in appropriate locations.
• Remember, if there is an outbreak of infection in the home, after the outbreak is over the decorations must be appropriately cleaned and disinfected or disposed of.

More information and guidance regarding Infection Prevention and Control can be found here.