Regional Infection Prevention & Control
Audit of NICE Clinical Guideline CG139 and
Healthcare Providers in Community
& Primary Care
The aim was to establish if there is a robust and comprehensive regional system in place to
support the application of NICE CG139, Standard 1.1.1.
• Education and training for healthcare providers
• Healthcare providers have appropriate supplies for personal protection, safe disposal
• of sharps and hand hygiene
• Provision of education on hand hygiene to patients and carers.
The Key recommendations from the audit were:
• The Regional Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead Nurse Forum recommends that the
DoH adopt as regional policy, the IPC standards as set out by NICE CG139 Healthcare-
associated infections: prevention and control in primary and community care
• The Regional IPC Lead Nurse Forum recommends that the DoH and the Health and Social
Care Board (HSCB) supports the production of a Regional eLearning system for Community
and Primary care covering, but not limited to, NICE CG139
• It is recommended that the Business Services Organisation's Procurement and Logistics
Service (PaLS) assess the feasibility of all ISPs having access to the regional supply chain.
Providing open access to a regional standard of sharps containers, PPE and hand hygiene
materials will support compliance with IPC standards in the delivery of
patient care, irrespective of care provider, and maintain the health and safety of staff
• The NI Policy for the application of NICE CG139 for the prevention and control of
healthcare-associated infections in primary care and community should be available and
accessible to carers and their families who are directly involved in the delivery of care
• The current suite of information leaflets available via PHA's NI Regional Infection Control
Manual, when next reviewed, should be inclusive of the standards from the NI Policy for the
application of NICE CG139. If required, additional information/ leaflets could be developed
on any outstanding aspects of practice reflected in the standards( HSC Trusts and
ISPs should incorporate information/leaflet links on their intranet websites and/or provide
leaflets as appropriate to patients and their family/carers
• It is recommended that the Northern Ireland DoH 'Care Standards' for the provision of
community and primary care are reviewed to incorporate comprehensive reference to the NI
Policy for the application of NICE CG139 and their implementation across the sector
• It is recommended that the Commissioners of care (both HSC Trusts and PHA/HSCB) should
use the NI Policy for the application of NICE CG139 to agree a regional assurance
framework for IPC in community and primary care based on NICE CG139. Some of the
assessment tools and pathways already provided within NICE may be easily adapted for this
purpose. A Framework would provide assurance of practice to commissioners,
providers, RQIA and to patients, clients and to the public
• The IPC Lead Nurse Forum should undertake a review of the implementation of the
recommendations included in this Audit report in 3 years and provide an update on progress
to key stakeholders including DoH, PHA/HSCB, RQIA, HSC Trusts and ISPs.
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Goal 4: Raising the Standards