Why do I need to audit?

The Code of Practice Criterion 1 requires a programme of audit to be in place, to demonstrate that key Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Practices are being implemented appropriately. The CQC require evidence that these audits have been undertaken and that changes to practice have been implemented to improve standards of Infection Prevention and Control within the practice/nursing home.

 

What are the benefits of a self-audit?​

Self audit – using the Infection Prevention Solutions self-audit tools – enables providers of health and social care to undertake audits themselves at a time to suit the organisation’s activities.  The self-audit tools have been modified from published tools widely available on the internet to provide not only the audit questions, but also the rationales for these questions together with a range of answers that cover all non-compliance issues.  In addition, corrective actions are provided so that providers will know exactly what they need to do to improve practice.  Finally, each question has the supporting evidence for compliance – legislation, expert guidance, evidence etc. so that providers know exactly why they need to comply with the question.

 

These web-based self-audit tools have been written by Infection Control Nurses so you can be assured that the content is accurate and up to date without having the specialised knowledge yourself.

 

The web based self-audit is quick and simple to use, just logon with your username and password (provided by Infection Prevention Solutions), and you can start completing the self-audit immediately. The web based self-audit can be used at your own convenience with no fuss or disruption to clinical activity. 

 

Who can undertake the self-audit?The web based self-audit can be undertaken by the Register Provider, Registered Manager, Registered  Nurse or the designated Infection Control Lead for the practice, or any suitable member of staff. 

 

How long does the web based self-audit take?

The web based self-audit will take approximately an hour and a half.  One of the benefits of using these web based self-audits are that they do not have to be done all at one time.  The tools can be downloaded as quick answer sheets and sections of the web based self-audit may be completed individually or together.  The answers can then be uploaded to the web based self-audit at a later stage.  There are no time constraints with the web based self-audit, and it can be completed at your own convenience without disruption to clinical activity. 

 

How often do I need to do these self-audits?

It is a requirement of the Code of Practice Criterion 1 that a rolling programme of audit should be in place as part of the annual Infection Prevention and Control Programme.  These audits are a necessary part of and will form the basis of the Infection Control Lead’s annual statement. Ideally, a full audit of the environment and all clinical activities should be undertaken annually as a means of providing a base-line assessment.  Subsequent audits can then focus of key areas where improvements are required thus demonstrating that changes to practice have taken place.  The frequency of subsequent audits is for local determination but there is an expectation that clinical practices will be routinely assessed as a means of demonstrating on-going quality improvement.

 

What happens once I have completed the web based self-audit?

Once the web based self-audit has been fully completed, an overall report and action plan will be produced automatically.   Each section of the report is given a percentage score, which indicates overall compliance with Infection Prevention and Control standards. The Infection Control Lead can then use the self-audit report and subsequent action plan to implement relevant actions required to improve Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Practices within the practice/nursing home. 

 

What happens to the web based self-audit reports/action plans?

The web based self-audit reports/action plans will remain on the practice/nursing home’s own homepage, with each new web based self-audit report/action plan being added in sequence.  The results of these self-audit reports/action plans can be used for comparisons and as an evidence base for CQC that the necessary improvements have been identified for future implementation (with timescales for completion) or have already been addressed in order to raise the standards of Infection Prevention and Control within the practice/nursing home.  Subsequent self-audit can then be used to demonstrate that changes have been embedded into local practice.