Infection Control Policy

Infection Control Policy – Female Focus – Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Clinic

Purpose

To maintain a safe, hygienic, and welcoming environment for all patients, staff, and visitors by minimising the risk of infection transmission within the clinic.

Scope

This policy applies to all clinicians staff, and visitors within the clinic premises.

1. Hand Hygiene

   • All staff perform hand hygiene:

     • Before and after every patient contact

     • After contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces

     • Before donning and after removing gloves

   • Alcohol-based hand rub is available throughout the clinic.

2. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

   • Gloves are worn for any procedure involving contact with mucous membranes, bodily fluids, or when clinically indicated.

   • Aprons are used when there is a risk of contamination to clothing.

   • PPE is single-use and disposed of immediately after each patient interaction.

   • Patients may wear a mask if they wish - we can provide one if needed.

   • Patients can ask the physio to wear a mask if they feel more comfortable with this.

3. Clinical Environment & Equipment Cleaning

   • Treatment rooms are cleaned between each patient, including:

     • Plinths

     • Chairs

     • Handles and high-touch surfaces

   • Reusable equipment (e.g., pelvic models, biofeedback devices) is cleaned according to manufacturer guidance.

   • Single-use items (e.g., probes, electrodes where applicable) are disposed of safely after use.

4. Laundry & Linen

   • Couch roll is changed after every patient.

   • Laundry is washed at appropriate temperatures following infection control standards.

   • Clean and used linen are stored separately.

5. Waste Management

   • Clinical waste (e.g., PPE, contaminated materials) is disposed of in designated clinical waste bins.

   • Domestic waste is separated and removed regularly.

6. Staff Health & Fitness to Work

   • Staff with symptoms of infectious illness (e.g., fever, diarrhoea, respiratory symptoms) must not attend work until medically safe.

   • Staff follow UKHSA guidance on return-to-work timelines for infectious conditions.

7. Patient Screening

   • Patients are asked to reschedule a face-to-face appointment or change to a virtual appointment if they have symptoms of infectious illness.

   • Any patient presenting with symptoms on arrival may be asked to rebook.

8. Respiratory Hygiene & Cough Etiquette

   • Tissues and hand sanitiser are available in waiting and treatment areas.

   • Patients and staff are encouraged to cover coughs/sneezes and perform hand hygiene immediately afterwards.

9. Covid-19

   • Patients should not attend a physiotherapy setting in person if they currently have Covid-19 or symptoms of a respiratory infection.

   • Physiotherapy clinics typically require patients to be "Covid-fit," meaning they are free from symptoms and have not recently tested positive, to prevent spreading the virus to staff and other vulnerable patients.

   • If a patient has a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or have tested positive, they should reschedule a face-to-face appointment.

   • A virtual consultation is available as an if a patient cannot attend in person due to ill health.

   • If a patient has an appointment but is feeling unwell or has tested positive for Covid-19, they must call the clinic to inform them and to discuss rescheduling or switching to a video session.

10. Spill Management

    • Bodily fluid spills are cleaned promptly using appropriate disinfectant products.

11. Training & Compliance

    • All staff receive regular infection control training.

    • Compliance is monitored informally day-to-day and formally during periodic audits.

12. Policy Review

    • This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if guidance changes.

Policy written by Clinic Director, Barbara Chesworth