The best way to boost your sluice rooms’ CQC rating

As we’re sure you are aware, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assesses and manages the risk of infections within care homes to protect vulnerable residents from these infections and reduce the risk of them spreading.

One of the most critical areas for infection prevention and control is a sluice room (dirty utility room), as they are used to dispose of human waste within care homes and hospitals. Not using these rooms correctly can have a serious impact on healthcare facilities. 

When the CQC inspect a healthcare facility’s sluice room, they are looking to ensure the room meets the criteria within the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. During inspections, the CQC will specifically assess the cleanliness, layout, equipment, and management of sluice rooms to ensure they meet the required standards for infection prevention and control. Failures in this area can lead to negative findings in the inspection report and potential enforcement action. In order to boost your care homes’ CQC rating, it is important to consider the following: 

Staff Training

Your staff are your first line of defence against infection. The CQC expects comprehensive training on all infection control procedures, including:

• Proper Use of Sluice Room Equipment – Ensuring everyone understands how to operate macerators, washer-disinfectors, and other equipment safely and effectively.
• Meticulous Hand Hygiene – Reinforcing the importance of handwashing before and after using the sluice room.
• Correct Waste Disposal and Cleaning Procedures – Implementing clear guidelines for handling and disposing of human waste and maintaining the cleanliness of the room itself.

Involving staff in the planning and implementation of any changes to the sluice room cultivates a sense of ownership and encourages valuable input on improving efficiency and hygiene. Crucially, there should be clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place for the sluice room, and staff must be adequately trained and competent in following these procedures.

Safe Waste Disposal

At the heart of the sluice room function is the safe and effective disposal of human waste. The CQC will look for evidence of robust systems that ensure waste is handled hygienically and efficiently. This often involves the proper use and maintenance of equipment like macerators or washer-disinfectors. Demonstrating that these processes are followed correctly to minimise the risk of contamination and infection is vital.

Find out more about safe and efficient human waste disposal here. 

Sluice Room Layout

Prioritising safety means implementing clear protocols for preventing the spread of infection and managing any potential hazards within the sluice room. This includes regular risk assessments to identify potential issues before they become problems, and having clear contingency plans in place.

A well-designed sluice room minimises the risk of cross-contamination. Plan your sluice room layout to ensure a clear workflow, with easy access to all features and strategic placement of fixtures. This prevents bottlenecks and ensures that clean and dirty processes are kept separate. Did you know that expert providers like Stanbridge offer a free site survey to provide tailored recommendations? This can be an invaluable step in optimising your sluice room’s efficiency and hygiene.

We have created a sluice room hygiene process, which should always be considered when planning a sluice room. You can find out more about planning a sluice room and view our process here.

Cleanliness and Hygiene

Sluice rooms must be maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. This includes regular and thorough cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and equipment.

View our latest article, ‘How Compliant Is Your Sluice Room Practice?’ to find out more about how you can stop the spread of infections in your sluice room. A spotless sluice room is a clear indicator of your commitment to infection control.

Equipment Maintenance

Equipment within sluice rooms, such as bedpan washer disinfectors, must be properly maintained and serviced to ensure they are functioning effectively and reaching the necessary temperatures to effectively decontaminate the reusable utensils. The CQC may look for service records as evidence of this. You can view our article on how to maintain your sluice machine for information. You are also able to book a service here.

In essence, the CQC views effective management of sluice rooms as a key component of overall infection prevention and control within care homes and other healthcare settings. Proper design, maintenance, and adherence to safe working practices in these areas are crucial for protecting residents and staff from the risk of infection.

If you would like advice on your sluice room, contact our experts today for a confidential chat or to book in your free sluice room survey. We are here to help you meet CQC regulations and keep patients, staff and visitors safe. 

See links below for more information:

• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations – https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act 

• Assessment Framework for Infection Prevention and Control – https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/assessment/single-assessment-framework/safe/infection-prevention-control