Prepare environments and resources for use during healthcare activities

Unit aim

This unit is aimed at health and social care staff who prepare for individual’s health care intervention, treatment or therapy and ensure that the environment is cleaned, cleared and left ready for the next intended use.

Outcome 1 Understand how to prepare and manage environments and resources for use during healthcare activities

1. explain how the environment is prepared, maintained and cleaned to ensure it is ready for the healthcare activity

2. describe the roles and responsibilities of team members in the preparation and management of the environment and resources

3. explain how to investigate, make the necessary adjustments to and report problems with the environment

4. describe the impact of environmental changes on resources including their storage and use.

Outcome 2 Prepare environments, medical equipment, devices and resources for use during healthcare activities

1. apply health and safety measures relevant to the healthcare activity and environment

2. apply standard precautions for infection prevention and control

3. ensure conditions within the immediate environment are set at levels which maintain individual comfort

4. ensure that all essential resources are available in advance of planned healthcare activities

5. ensure all medical equipment, devices and resources are in a suitable, safe condition for the activity to be carried out

6. report any problems with medical equipment, devices and resources as required

7. demonstrate the relevant equipment and medical devices are selected, prepared and functioning within the agreed parameters prior to use

8. prepare resources for the activity in line with clinical governance.

Outcome 3 Ensure that environments and resources are ready for their next intended use

1. describe the importance of ensuring that environments are ready for their next use

2. outline the factors that influence the readiness of environments for use in health care activities

3. clean and make safe re-useable items prior to storage in accordance with agreed policies

4. dispose of used, damaged or out of date items safely

5. return un-opened, unused and surplus resources to the correct location for storage

6. monitor the available levels of consumable materials used in healthcare activities

7. replenish consumable materials used in healthcare activities in accordance with protocols

8. ensure all information is accurately recorded as specified in local policies.