A point prevalence survey found that approximately 11% of care home residents have infections at any given time[i].

Due to the close proximity of vulnerable care home residents and their hard-working staff, infections remain a constant risk in care homes. To address this persistent concern, the VIVALDI Social Care project - commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) - is working with over 500 care homes to monitor and reduce the impact of infections such as flu, norovirus, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Despite current infection control strategies, the impact of infection is proving difficult to manage. For example, around 40 in every 100 UK care homes suffer a gastroenteritis outbreak each year, with norovirus accounting for 65% of these outbreaks[ii].

The VIVALDI project aims to provide the vital insights to help improve infection control strategies - while organisations like DDC play a complementary role in delivering practical solutions that help care homes implement these strategies effectively.

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The VIVALDI Project: Tackling Infections in Care Homes

The VIVALDI project was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand and mitigate the impact of the virus in care homes. The project contributed to policies such as limiting staff movement between facilities and advocating for improved sick pay for care workers.

By linking data from more than 300 care homes, the original VIVALDI study provided essential insights into infection risks and the effectiveness of vaccines.

The new pilot expands on this work, using an integrated health data platform to monitor infections beyond COVID-19. This platform connects resident data with NHS datasets, including hospital admissions, vaccination records and laboratory results, offering a comprehensive view of health outcomes in care homes.

With a focus on collaboration, the VIVALDI project brings together researchers, care providers and residents to develop strategies for reducing infections without compromising residents’ quality of life.

Linking VIVALDI to DDC’s Work in Infection Prevention

As the VIVALDI project advances research on infection control, the practical implementation of these findings depends on reliable tools and processes. DDC’s work in sluice room hygiene is a prime example of how care homes can enhance infection prevention with the right support.

Importance of Infection Control in Sluice Rooms

Responsible for handling the disposal of human waste and other potentially infectious materials, sluice rooms are at the heart of care home infection prevention. Poorly managed sluice rooms can become hotspots for healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), endangering residents and staff.

Proper waste disposal and cleaning protocols are essential, but they rely on efficient, well-maintained equipment. DDC provides the solutions care homes need to maintain precise hygiene standards, preventing infections from taking hold.

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DDC’s Role in Enhancing Hygiene Standards

DDC specialises in state-of-the-art sluice room equipment, including macerators and bedpan washers, designed to ensure efficient and hygienic waste disposal. These machines are key to shrinking the risk of cross-contamination and keeping everyone in the care home community safe.

Regular maintenance is key to ensuring equipment continues to perform at its best. DDC’s servicing solutions protect performance, reducing the risk of breakdowns that could compromise hygiene.

With proactive maintenance, care homes can prevent costly repairs and avoid the operational disruptions that come with equipment failure – not to mention improving financial health by enhancing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW DDC’S EQUIPMENT REDUCES DOWNTIME AND ENSURES PERFORMANCE

Supporting Data-Driven Infection Control

The data-driven approach of the VIVALDI project is closely aligned with DDC’s focus on reliability and consistency in infection prevention. Properly maintained equipment ensures dependability, allowing care homes to meet the evolving hygiene standards that are likely to be suggested by the project.

By combining data insights with practical solutions, care homes can achieve all-new levels of proactivity. Reliable equipment, combined with the insights generated by the VIVALDI study, helps care home managers make informed decisions to protect residents and staff.

The VIVALDI Social Care project is taking an important step to address infections in care homes, using innovative data platforms and collaborative strategies to enhance resident safety.

However, implementing these insights on the ground requires effective infection control practices, particularly in high-risk areas like sluice rooms.

DDC’s expertise in sluice room hygiene and equipment maintenance complements the goals of the VIVALDI project, providing care homes with the resources they need to reduce infection risks. By investing in reliable equipment and regular servicing, care homes can protect their residents and staff while managing costs and improving operational efficiency.

Keen to learn more about how DDC can support your care home’s infection prevention strategies?

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