British Footcare Group
British Footcare Groupâ„¢
Infection Control & Clinical Environment Policy
British Footcare Group standards for clinical excellence and patient safety.
1. Purpose
This policy outlines the mandatory standards for infection prevention and control (IPC) within British Footcare Group clinics. It ensures a safe, hygienic environment for patients, visitors, and staff, minimising healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) while maintaining compliance with clinical regulations and professional podiatry standards.
2. Background
Clinical excellence in podiatry requires rigorous environmental hygiene. As we provide treatments involving skin integrity, debridement, and minor surgical procedures, maintaining an infection-free clinical setting is paramount. This document serves as the primary governance framework for our operational team to ensure every patient journey is protected by clinical best practices.
Core Principles
2. Scope
This policy applies to all clinical and non-clinical staff, students, and visitors within British Footcare Group premises. It encompasses all aspects of clinical practice, environment management, and the protocols required to protect patients and staff from healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) across all our sites.
3. Core Principles
Our clinical hygiene standards are guided by the following tenets:
- A zero-tolerance approach to avoidable infection and cross-contamination.
- Clinical procedures performed strictly within dedicated, high-standard medical environments.
- Continuous monitoring through rigorous internal audits and alignment with current regulatory standards.
- Evidence-based practice in all aspects of sterilization, disinfection, and clinical waste management.
4. Hand Hygiene
- Strict protocols for systematic hand washing with liquid antimicrobial soap.
- Mandatory hand sanitisation between every patient contact using alcohol-based rub.
- Surgical hand disinfection performed prior to invasive procedures.
- Single-use disposable towels used for thorough drying to prevent recontamination.
4.1 Staff Practice
- Mandatory 'bare below the elbows' policy for all clinical staff members.
- Natural nails must be kept short, clean, and free from polish or enhancements.
- Prohibition of wristwatches and stone-set rings during patient care.
- Correct application and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per task.
5. Equipment & Treatment Area
- Decontamination of all clinical surfaces and chairs using hospital-grade biocides.
- Reusable instruments processed through validated sterilization (autoclave) systems.
- Single-use clinical items disposed of immediately into appropriate waste streams.
- Documentation of daily cleaning schedules and deep-clean validation for all clinics.
6. Clinical Waste Management
- All infectious, hazardous, and clinical waste is strictly managed to prevent environmental contamination and cross-infection.
- Use of designated orange or yellow clinical waste bags for all soft clinical materials.
- Strict adherence to sharps disposal protocols using UN-approved rigid containers.
- Waste is securely stored in a restricted area prior to collection by a licensed healthcare waste contractor.
- All staff are trained in waste segregation to ensure hazardous materials are never mixed with general waste.
7. Sanitary & Hygiene Services
- Patient and staff facilities are maintained to the highest hygienic standards to support a safe clinical environment.
- Sanitary units are serviced regularly by professional hygiene contractors.
- Hands-free soap dispensers and high-quality paper towels are provided in all washrooms.
- Daily deep-cleaning schedules for all sanitary areas using hospital-grade disinfectants.
- Immediate reporting and remediation of any plumbing or hygiene maintenance issues.
8. General Waste Management
- Non-clinical waste is managed efficiently to ensure overall clinic cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
- Separation of recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, and plastic.
- General domestic waste is disposed of in black municipal bags and stored separately from clinical waste.
- Waste bins are emptied daily and cleaned to prevent odour and pest attraction.
- Confidential patient data is never disposed of in general waste; it is processed via secure shredding.
9. Equipment Compliance (Electrical Safety)
- All electrical equipment used within the clinic undergoes rigorous safety checks to protect patients and staff.
- Annual PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) for all clinical and office hardware.
- Regular calibration of clinical tools to ensure treatment accuracy and safety.
- Defective equipment is immediately decommissioned and labelled until repaired or replaced.
- Visual inspections of cables and plugs are integrated into the daily clinic opening routine.
10. Fire Safety
- The safety of our patients during an emergency is paramount. Fire safety protocols include:
- Annual professional fire risk assessments and regular testing of smoke detectors and alarms.
- Clearly marked fire exits and evacuation routes that are kept free from obstructions at all times.
- Fire extinguishers are serviced annually and are appropriate for the potential hazards in each area.
- All staff receive fire safety training, including identification of fire marshals and evacuation assembly points.
11. Staff Responsibilities
Accountability
12. Monitoring & Compliance
All clinical and support staff are strictly required to adhere to these infection control standards. Our Lead Podiatrist conducts monthly audits and visual inspections of all treatment areas to verify hygiene standards and waste segregation protocols. Any identified deficiencies are logged and resolved through immediate corrective action and mandatory staff retraining programs.
13. Review
This policy is subject to annual review by the management team. Updates are implemented immediately following significant changes to UK clinical guidance or Health and Safety Executive (HSE) infection control protocols to ensure the continued safety of our patients and staff.