How infections spread and what decontamination means

In care settings, infections spread when germs move from one source to another via hands, body fluids, respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, shared equipment, laundry, waste or close personal contact. Everyday care tasks create many opportunities for this: helping with washing, serving drinks, changing bedding, supporting toileting, using hoists or commodes, sharing bathrooms and cleaning after illness.

Preventing infection means breaking these routes of spread. DHSC guidance for adult social care identifies the main controls as standard infection control precautions, safe environmental cleaning, safe equipment management, correct laundry and waste handling, and prompt action for symptoms or outbreaks.

Important terms

• Cleaning: physically removes dirt and contamination, usually with detergent and water or locally approved detergent wipes.
• Disinfection: reduces the number of harmful germs on a surface or item.
• Sterilisation: removes or destroys all viable microorganisms, including spores. This is not a routine frontline care-home process for ordinary shared care equipment.
• Decontamination: the overall process that may involve cleaning, disinfection, and in some settings sterilisation.

A person-centred reminder

A care home is also a person's home. Infection control measures should be effective and proportionate while preserving dignity, comfort, visiting and ordinary daily life. Use the appropriate precautions without unnecessarily restricting the resident.

Infection prevention works by breaking the routes by which germs spread. Staff need to know the difference between cleaning, disinfection and wider decontamination so they can choose the right response.