Standards › Standard 29 › Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Procedure · HC-SOP-007 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: 29.34
At a glance
- Each caregiver has regular supervisor contact and peer contact (MOB-SOP-002).
- The check-in covers the caregiver’s arrival, departure and any concern.
- Peer connection is arranged at least monthly (WRK-SOP-004).
- Missed check-ins are followed up the same day.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a caregiver works alone for a year with no contact with the agency.
1. Purpose
To address isolation and to keep a discreet help route open for caregivers (29.23, 29.34).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
A caregiver who works alone for hours can become isolated and unsupported, which affects their health and the care they give. Regular supervisor contact and peer support counter the isolation.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Home care service lead | Owns the check-in and peer plan | Clinician or manager |
| Supervisor | Holds the contact and follows up missed check-ins | Clinician |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Check in.
- Check in with each caregiver at arrival and departure, using MOB-FRM-004.
Key point: Checked.
Step 2. Connect peers.
- Arrange peer connection at least monthly.
Key point: Connected.
Step 3. Follow up.
- Follow up any missed check-in the same day.
Key point: Followed up.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caregivers with regular supervisor and peer contact | 100% | Monthly | Home care service lead | Escalate to medical director |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| MOB-SOP-002 | Lone working check-in and response (existing, reused) | Procedure |
| WRK-SOP-004 | Support after distressing events (existing, reused) | Procedure |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | Based on the WHO Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016-2030, WHO Integrated care for older people (ICOPE) guidelines (2017), and WHO guidance on migrant health. |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
E-learning for this document
References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)