To provide a safer environment for residents, staff and visitors the basic IPC measures that should be applied in all care homes are called Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs).

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs).  SICPs are applicable for all staff, in all care settings, at all times, and for all residents - regardless of whether any infections are known to be present or not.

SICPs are necessary and should be applied continually and consistently to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents from both known and unknown sources of infection throughout the care home.

Sources of (potential) infection may include

• blood
• body fluids
• secretions or excretions (excluding sweat)
• non-intact skin
• mucous membranes
• the care environment (fixtures, fittings, floors, walls) or any care equipment, furniture or furnishings which may have become contaminated, are inadequately cleaned or maintained, or are damaged and can no longer be adequately cleaned or maintained

The application of all 10 SICPs allows staff to ensure effective IPC occurs at the point of care delivery and is determined by an assessment of risk, for:

• any anticipated exposure to blood or body fluids
• and the level of interaction when the following 3 elements come together, the service user (resident), the healthcare worker and, the health and care environment

SICPs implementation monitoring will be regularly undertaken within each workplace to assure safe IPC practices are embedded, and to demonstrate the organisations commitment to IPC, and the safety of all residents, healthcare workers and visitors to each facility.