As an aged care provider, you may be outsourcing a number of key service areas that aged care auditors cover when they visit your site. They may include food preparation, laundry services, and, last but not least, your chemical provider. It’s easy to let such outsourced service areas slip, particularly if you are not directly responsible for them. At Veridia Australia, we’ve made a small list of some of the items that you may be outsourcing but ultimately will be responsible for in the event of an audit failure. This provides you with the aged care audit tools you need to succeed.
Regulated Areas
Our items are sourced from aged care accreditation regulations, so every auditor will inspect them. These items will also contribute to optimum operating performance in your facility.
SDS Documentation
is a major item on the auditor’s agenda as part of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Rules 2018 (Rules) established under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Act) compliance so as to make sure standards are upheld. It is the chemical supplier‘s responsibility to maintain this and it’s critical that documentation for all purchased chemicals is up to date.
If you haven’t already, check if your supplier provides online access to SDS documentation. This means you can always access up-to-date documentation at the click of a button.
Chemical Labelling
Your chemical supplier must ensure that all containers and bottles containing chemicals are clearly and correctly labelled so you can confidently use chemicals for their intended purpose. (Standard 8c (v) – Regulatory Compliance)
In addition, your supplier should have updated their packaging to reflect the GHS packaging standards according to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018.
Well Stocked Dispensers
It is critical that dispensers of any hygiene consumables are always stocked, as an unstocked dispenser can be technically regarded as a failure to provide necessary goods to facilitate quality service delivery. An unstocked dispenser can quickly increase the risk of infection among residents.
Smaller stockpiles located near sanitisation stations will make it easy for staff to quickly refill dispensers if they run out unexpectedly. (Standard 7a – Delivery of safe and quality care)
Staff Education and Training
As an aged care facility, you must ensure that any staff conducting operations on your site are adequately trained to enable them to perform their roles safely and effectively (Standard 7c – Staff Competency).
When it comes to chemicals, it is the supplier’s responsibility to supply this training upon request.
Dispenser Locations
Strategic positioning of dispensers throughout the facility for items such as paper towels, hand wash, sanitiser and gloves is important to meet standards – Ensuring staff have the resources to deliver quality service.
Loose packs of supplies stacked on and around basins will give the auditor an impression of disorganisation. It is also important to note that high-quality consumables are integral in achieving favourable ratings during aged care audits. (Standard 7a – Ensuring Staff have the resources to deliver Quality Service.)
Safe Operating Procedures / Instruction of Use Signage
While wall chart instructions of procedures and correct use of consumables are not a legislative requirement, they will ensure staff have access to information to perform their roles. (Standard 5a – Ease of Understanding)
This article is a guide only and should not be regarded as a comprehensive aged care accreditation checklist.
Do you want more information on how to prepare for an accreditation audit? Read our Aged Care Hygiene Audit page or view the AACQAs Self-Assessment Tool relating to the new Standards.
