IPC policy adherence audits
Health Boards should ensure that adherence to infection prevention and control polices, for example C. difficile and Loose Stools Policies, is audited at least annually.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 3.3 of the Scottish Government's response states that quality improvement uses a range of methods, such as audit, to deliver change and improve outcomes. Section 2.1 details that a robust HAI scrutiny regime is in place, with the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) carrying out regular, often unannounced, inspections to check adherence to national standards and guidance. NHS boards are also responsible for monitoring and reporting hand hygiene compliance and ensuring suitable quality assurance processes are in place, with performance against revised HAI standards forming part of HEI inspections from June 2015.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
HIS IPC Standards (2022) Standard 4 (Assurance and Monitoring) requires systematic auditing of IPC policy adherence. NIPCM provides audit tools for download. National compliance monitoring through HIS inspections.
View detailed findings
Standard 4 specifically addresses auditing of IPC practices. Audit tools are available through the NIPCM website for use by all health boards.