Prevent infectious outbreaks

This highly transmissible virus causes severe gastroenteritis, which is especially devastating to the elderly and vulnerable. As a result of these infections residential and care homes may have to be closed for deep cleaning or visitors are not allowed in the home for fear of escalating the outbreak.

In 2013 after suffering with Norovirus outbreaks the well established Residential Home management and staff decided to try and tackle the problem head on. They called upon the advice of an external auditing company and the help of the local PCT Infection Prevention Nurse. To tackle outbreaks the staff used Milton (bleach) to clean rooms and areas after an infection, which is common practice in many healthcare environments.

They were also provided with information about Norovirus and after the audit enlisted a company to train their staff. The home also involved the CQC in auditing the home to collect invaluable information to change cleaning, isolation practices involving regular six monthly meetings with both relatives and those residents who could attend to share information and ideas.

The managers also decided to change cleaning practices to come in line with recommendations they had received and noted and as part of this Goldshield technologies were invited to install their disinfection technology that not only kills microorganisms to include Norovirus but also leaves a protective layer or barrier on the surface.

This barrier protects the surface for 24 hours between cleans and for days with more powerful formulations. Product training was provided by Goldshield and the product was introduced into the Care Home in March 2013. The product is completely non-toxic and can be used for daily cleaning protecting surfaces, minimising the risk of cross-infection.

The changes were communicated to the relatives and residents, at the same time the new Goldshield products were introduced. As a result of these changes the home passes the rigorous ICNA (Infection Control Nurses Audit), which encompasses all aspects of cleaning, disinfection and the management of infection control practices. The use of Milton is still employed if there is an outbreak. However since the home has been using Goldshield technology there has not been an outbreak.

The home manager said: "We looked at the Norovirus problem in a methodical and scientific way and are very proud of what we have achieved to prevent outbreaks for our residents and our staff. We attribute our success to the measures we implemented and the introduction of Goldshield's technology into our daily cleaning routines."