Public Board of Directors papers 27.01.22

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assessments and adherence to appropriate isolation and care pathway of patients with confirmed or suspected respiratory infections. Testing of outpatient is undertaken prior to commencing treatment, whilst inpatient testing follows national guidance. Compliance of staff and inpatients (Day 1, 3, 7 and every 7 days thereafter) is reported and monitored via the testing strategy group and the trust wide sitrep / operational huddle. See previous huddle slide pack containing evidence of testing compliance. Live data regarding results, testing compliance and other COVID related information can be found on the Christie data insights tableau dashboard. Patients are required to wear surgical facemasks when mobilising around the trust. All in patients are encouraged to were surgical face masks whilst inside room/bed/bay areas if they can be tolerated and does not impact on care. Where possible, patients with confirmed or suspected respiratory infections will be cared for in individual rooms. In the event multi-bedded bays are needed to be used, patients are cohorted according to infection. Since the start of the pandemic, multi-bedded bays have reduced occupancy to maintain physical distancing. In the event national guidance poses significant patient flow and bed management pressures bay occupancy is increased. Patients with respiratory symptoms are prioritised for assessment, management and care in single occupancy rooms pending confirmatory test results. IP testing for respiratory infections is in line with national guidance.

There is evidence of compliance with routine patient testing protocols in line with trust approved hierarchies of control risk assessment and approved.

Those exempt from testing e.g. patients undergoing brachytherapy treatment on BMRU, end of life patients and any patients that may refuse testing are also shown within the compliance data. Patient risk assessments are undertaken between IPC, nursing and clinical teams if increased bed occupancy in bays is required.

Patients with suspected or confirmed respiratory infection are provided with a surgical facemask (Type II or Type IIR) to be worn in multi-bedded bays and communal areas if this can be tolerated.

Patients with respiratory symptoms are assessed in a segregated area, ideally a single room, and away from other patients pending their test result.

In the event of bed pressures and to enable patient flow, patients needed to be moved prior to a

C1501: Infection prevention and control board assurance framework (24 December 2021 Version 1.8) – January 2022

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