Infection Prevention and Control is the work an organisation does to identify potential risks for spread of infection between patients (and between patients and staff) and to take measures to reduce that risk.
The Practice takes its responsibility to do this very seriously. All staff take responsibility for their own role in this and all staff receive regular training in their role in Infection Prevention Control.
We take additional measures to ensure we maintain the highest standards: • Encourage staff and patients to raise any issues or report any incidents relating to
cleanliness and infection control. We can discuss these and identify improvements we
can make to avoid any future problems.
• Carry out an annual infection control audit to make sure our infection control procedures
are working.
• Provide annual staff updates and training on cleanliness and infection control.
• Review our policies and procedures annually to make sure they are adequate and meet
the national guidance.
• Maintain the premises and equipment to a high standard and ensure that all reasonable
steps are taken to reduce or remove all infection risk.
• Equipment is disposable where possible e.g. couch rolls, privacy curtains, hand towels
etc.
• All other non-disposable equipment is cleaned according to the manufacturer’s
guidelines to reduce the risk of infection.
• Make Alcohol Hand Rub Gel available throughout the practice for staff and visitors.
Purpose of annual statement In line with the Department of health, the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on Prevention and Control of Infection and its Related Guidance (2015), the practice annual statement will be generated each year.
It will summarise:
• Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported
in accordance with our Significant Events Report procedures).
• Details of any infection control audits undertaken and actions taken.
• Details of any infection control risk assessments undertaken.
• Details of staff training.
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines.
Infection Prevention Control leads (IPC) Leads
Nurse Lead/ Infection Prevention Control Lead: Sonia Trickett
Practice Manager: Dee Price
Infection Transmission incidents (Significant Events):
Significant Events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate any changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed and discussed in the monthly clinical meetings with GPs/Nurses/Surgery leads and learning cascaded to all staff.
Infection control is also discussed at the all staff team biannual meeting
During 2023 Kingstone Surgery had no Significant Events reported relating to Infection
Prevention Control.
Infection Prevention Control Audit and Actions
The latest Annual Infection Prevention Control Audit was completed in December 2023. This involves comprehensive review of all aspects of infection prevention control within the surgery.
As a result of this audit, the following changes were made at Kingstone Surgery:
• Reminder to staff to have a clear desk policy for adequately cleaning of desks and work
spaces each day and declutter spaces.
• Reminder to all staff that it is their responsibility to clean any equipment and the area they
are working appropriately.
• Direct meeting with cleaning staff to review their cleaning processes, schedule. Clearly labelled colour coded cleaning equipment for specific areas of the building
• Regular reviews of staff Infection Prevention Control training schedules.
• Minimal handling of patient specimens by reception staff, to utilise the specimen bag when
patient hand over and samples
• Monthly audit performed
• PPE holders in all clinical rooms
Kingstone Surgery will continue to undertake the following audits in 2024:
• Annual Comprehensive Infection Prevention Control Environment, policies and practices
audit and action plan
• Building Audit
• Hand Hygiene Audit
• Audit of Sharps Policy
• Aseptic Technique competency Audits
• Waste Management Audit
Training
All our staff attend annual training on-line for infection Prevention and Control.
Policies
All infection Prevention Control related policies are in date for this year 2024.
Policies relating to Infection prevention control are available to all staff and are accessible. They are reviewed and updated annually and are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes.
COVID 19
During the Covid 19 Pandemic, as a practice we responded quickly and efficiently to the new Government Guidelines and followed strategic operational plans:
Patients triaged by phone and only asked to attend the surgery if the clinician felt the
appointment was urgent.
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment was readily available to protect our patients and staff, face masks were worn by all staff moving about the building and in shared office spaces, everyone was encouraged to observe social distancing rules at all times
As the pandemic progressed further changes were made throughout the building.
Protocols were implemented and many patients were reviewed in their cars and telephone
consultations were key.
Staff reviewed patients in Full PPE including FFP3 masks.
Home visits were conducted in full PPE.
Although restrictions have now eased for the country – we continue advise if symptoms of
upper respiratory infections present then use of a fresh face mask and handwashing/alcohol gel for anyone entering the building. Face masks and correct PPE is still worn when the clinician feels this is appropriate. Face masks are provided on request for anyone from reception.
If you have any concerns about cleanliness or infection control within Kingstone Surgery, please
report this to our reception staff.
Sonia Trickett
Infection Control Lead
12th March 2024
Approved and Reviewed by Charlie Rankin – Practice Manager