Table 3 describes practices relating to infection control
within the care homes. Most nursing homes and 81% of
residential homes reported that all staff had received training
in hand hygiene techniques. Human waste was disposed
of exclusively in an automated sluice machine in
49% of nursing and 8% of residential homes, with 22%
of nursing and 71% of residential homes using a method
other than automated sluice. Commodes and bed pans
were washed exclusively in an automated sluice in 64% of
nursing and 9% of residential homes. Almost one-third
(31.9%) of residential homes did not answer this question.
Bedpans and commodes were washed out in residents’
sinks in 4.5% of nursing and 21% of residential homes,
and in a communal sink or bath in 10% of residential homes.Linen soiled by faeces was placed into a dissolvable
bag then into a washing machine in 75% of residential
and 89% of nursing homes.