Archived: Avocet House Care Home

Updated 16 December 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service had been identified for use by the Local Authority as a designated care setting in response to the Winter Plan for people discharged from hospital with a positive Covid-19 status. This inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.

This inspection took place on 19 and 25 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 16 December 2020

Avocet House Care Home is a purpose built care home, which provides accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care. The service can provide care and support for up to 66 people, over three floors. There were not any people using the service at the time of the inspection.

We found the following examples of good practice.

¿ The provider had identified a specific area within the home to ensure effective use of cohorting and zoning. That meant that people had rooms and facilities in a certain area of the home and were cared for by a dedicated staff team, which reduced the potential for the infection to spread. Staff were appointed to work in designated areas which further reduced the potential for transfer of infections.

¿ There was a specific process for people being admitted into the service. Visitors were admitted through the main entrance and everyone was temperature tested, completed hand disinfection prior to entering the home and completed a declaration of health.

¿ The provider ensured supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). This included face masks and we saw staff use these appropriately.

¿ Staff hand washing competency was checked weekly and they were encouraged to do this regularly. There were multiple hand sanitisers available as a means to reduce the transfer of infection.

¿ The provider participated in regular COVID-19 testing for staff. That ensured action could be taken swiftly to reduce the potential spread of infection if a positive test was returned.

We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting

Further information is in the detailed findings below.