HIQA publishes an Assessment Judgement Framework for Regulation 27 Infection Control

Are you ready for a HIQA inspection against Regulation 27 Infection Control?

Overview

On 24^th September 2021, HIQA published an Assessment Judgement Framework for Regulation 27 Infection Control. Through this document, HIQA have detailed that inspections will take place to focus specifically on Regulation 27 Infection Control, to assess how the registered provider has implemented the National Standards for infection prevention and control in community services (2018).

Areas of Focus during the HIQA inspection on Regulation 27

HIQA have pulled out specific standards from the National Standards for infection prevention and control in community services (2018) that they will be focusing on under the Regulation 27 inspection, those being:

• Leadership, Governance and Management
  • Standard 5.1 The service has clear governance arrangements in place to ensure the sustainable delivery of safe and effective infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship.
  • Standard 5.2 There are clear management arrangements in place to ensure the delivery of safe and effective infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship within the service
• Workforce
  • 6.1 Service providers plan, organise and manage their workforce to meet the services’ infection prevention and control needs.
  • 6.2 Service providers ensure their workforce has the competencies, training and support to enable safe and effective infection
• Person centred care and support
  • 1.1 People are provided with appropriate information and are involved in decisions about their care to prevent, control and manage healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance.
• Effective care and support
  • 2.1 Infection prevention and control is part of the routine delivery of care to protect people from preventable healthcare-associated infections
  • 2.2 Care is provided in a clean and safe environment that minimises the risk of transmitting a healthcare-associated infection.
  • 2.3 Equipment is decontaminated and maintained to minimise the risk of transmitting a healthcare-associated infection.
• Safe care and support
  • 3.4 Outbreaks of infection are identified, managed, controlled and documented in a timely and effective manner.

For each of these standards, lines of enquiry have been provided by HIQA to assist the Registered Provider in assessing their compliance.

Further information

For more information on the Assessment Judgement Framework see the HIQA website:

• Guidance on the assessment of Regulation 27 – Infection Control
• Assessment judgment framework for Regulation 27 – Infection control

Conclusion

Infection prevention and control is now as important as ever. Registered Providers must ensure that their service is complying with the National Standards for infection prevention and control in community services (2018).

HCI is a provider of professional services in relation to resident safety, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance. Our experts can help you ensure your organisation is implementing best practice and regulatory compliant infection prevention and control measures. We can provide you with support through training, audits, policies and procedures and practical preparation guidance for a HIQA inspection.