Perform Infection Control Inspection using eAuditor

Infection Control Inspection refers to a systematic assessment of hygiene, sanitation, and preventive measures in healthcare and public facilities to minimize the risk of infections.

It involves evaluating hand hygiene practices, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, surface disinfection, waste disposal, ventilation systems, and compliance with infection prevention protocols. The goal is to identify potential hazards, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Performing Infection Control Inspection using eAuditor ensures a thorough evaluation of hygiene, sanitation, and infection prevention protocols across healthcare facilities, workplaces, food establishments, and public spaces. This systematic inspection helps identify risks, enforce compliance with infection control policies, and implement corrective actions to minimize contamination and disease transmission. Below is a comprehensive approach to conducting an Infection Control Inspection:

• Preparation and Planning

• Define Inspection Scope: Determine the specific areas, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, offices, food service areas, or public spaces.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure inspection checklists align with infection control standards from organizations like WHO, CDC, OSHA, and local health authorities.
• Gather Required Tools: Prepare gloves, masks, disinfectant testing kits, swabs for surface testing, UV sanitation detectors, and digital devices for recording findings.
• Scheduling and Coordination: Plan inspections at optimal times to avoid disrupting operations, and inform key staff to ensure full cooperation.

• Hand Hygiene Compliance

• Handwashing Stations: Ensure hand hygiene stations (soap dispensers, alcohol sanitizers) are available at entrances, workstations, restrooms, and high-traffic areas.
• Proper Handwashing Technique: Observe if employees follow correct handwashing procedures (minimum 20 seconds using soap and water).
• Hand Hygiene Policy Compliance: Check staff awareness of hand hygiene policies and training records.
• Sanitizer Effectiveness: Test if hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol content for proper disinfection.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Compliance

• PPE Availability: Confirm that essential PPE (masks, gloves, gowns, face shields) is readily accessible to employees, patients, or visitors.
• PPE Usage and Condition: Inspect if staff are correctly wearing PPE according to infection control guidelines.
• Storage and Disposal: Ensure proper storage of PPE in clean environments and proper disposal of used items in designated biohazard bins.
• PPE Training Records: Verify if employees have received proper training on PPE use, maintenance, and disposal procedures.

• Surface and Equipment Disinfection

• High-Touch Surface Sanitization: Inspect the cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, including doorknobs, elevator buttons, desks, and medical equipment.
• Cleaning Procedures Compliance: Assess if staff follow the correct disinfection protocols and use approved cleaning agents.
• Cleaning Frequency Records: Review cleaning logs to ensure surfaces are sanitized regularly.
• Medical and Shared Equipment Sterilization: Verify sterilization of medical instruments, diagnostic tools, and shared devices like keyboards, telephones, and workstations.

• Waste Disposal and Biohazard Handling

• Proper Waste Segregation: Ensure to separate waste  into general, recyclable, and hazardous categories.
• Biohazard Waste Management: Confirm safe disposal of infectious waste, including used PPE, syringes, and contaminated materials.
• Sharps Disposal Compliance: Check if sharp objects (needles, blades) are disposed of in puncture-proof containers.
• Waste Collection & Removal Procedures: Assess the frequency and safety of waste collection to prevent contamination risks.

• Air Quality and Ventilation Systems

• HVAC and Ventilation Maintenance: Inspect air conditioning and ventilation systems for cleanliness and functionality.
• Filtration and Airflow Compliance: Check regular replacement of air filters and ensure proper airflow in confined spaces.
• Negative Pressure Rooms (if applicable): Ensure isolation rooms in healthcare settings maintain negative pressure to prevent airborne contamination.
• Mold and Contaminant Detection: Look for signs of mold, excessive dust, or bacterial growth in ducts and vents.

• Employee and Patient Screening Measures

• Temperature and Symptom Checks: Ensure regular screening for fever, cough, or other infection symptoms.
• Contact Tracing Protocols: Verify tracking measures in case of an infection outbreak.
• Sick Leave Policies Compliance: Review company policies regarding employees reporting illness and staying home when symptomatic.
• Vaccination and Immunization Records: Confirm whether employees have received required vaccinations for infection control (e.g., flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines).

• Laundry and Linen Management

• Proper Handling of Contaminated Linens: Ensure to store separately that used linens and uniforms before washing.
• Laundry Facility Compliance: Assess the sanitation levels of laundry areas and verify the use of high-temperature washing cycles.
• Storage of Clean Linens: Check to store clean linens in sealed and dust-free areas.
• Protective Gear for Laundry Staff: Ensure workers handling soiled laundry wear appropriate PPE.

• Food Safety and Kitchen Sanitation (if applicable)

• Food Handling Hygiene: Inspect if food service employees wear gloves and maintain hygiene while handling food.
• Sanitization of Kitchen Equipment: Ensure countertops, cutting boards, and utensils are disinfected regularly.
• Food Storage Temperature Compliance: Check refrigerators and freezers for proper temperature settings to prevent bacterial growth.
• Cross-Contamination Prevention: Assess if raw and cooked foods are stored separately.

• Documentation, Reporting, and Compliance Review

• Policy and Protocol Review: Ensure infection control policies are in place and updated as per industry standards.
• Training and Awareness: Verify that staff members receive periodic infection control training.
• Incident Reporting System: Check if infection-related incidents (e.g., exposure, contamination) are properly documented and addressed.
• Use of eAuditor for Digital Records: Leverage eAuditor to automate checklists, store digital reports, track inspection trends, and set corrective actions.

Summary

Infection Control Inspections using eAuditor help ensure hygiene compliance, prevent disease transmission, and maintain a safe environment by evaluating hand hygiene, PPE usage, disinfection procedures, air quality, waste management, and employee health screening. Digital checklists and real-time reporting streamline compliance efforts and support proactive infection prevention.