Infection Prevention & Control Policy

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in April in accordance with the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. It details:

• Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure)
• Details of any infection control audits undertaken and actions undertaken
• Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
• Details of staff training
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Leads

• The Clinical IPC lead for the practice is: Sarah Gray (Lead Nurse) 
• Non clinical IPC Lead for the practice is: Michelle Kerrigan (Practice Manager)

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 changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed six monthly with IPC Leads, with learning cascaded to all relevant staff.

In the past year there has been a significant event of Covid-19. Response – All staff to follow Government guidance of social distancing, hand washing, face masks and training on use of PPE, ensured adequate supplies, Practice zoning, staggered breaks/restricted numbers, Total triage of all patients, patient screening at door entrance, broad messaging to patients about Covid-19 and use of surgery.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Infection Prevention Solutions in March 2022.

The Practice scored 87% - Good

We plan to undertake the following audits in 2022/2023:

• Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
• Domestic Cleaning audit
• Hand hygiene audit
• Sharps
• Cold Chain

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out / reviewed:

Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment: The practice has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff.

Immunisation: As a practice we ensure all staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. MMR, Seasonal Flu, Covid-19).

Other examples:

Privacy Curtains: The NHS Cleaning Specifications state the curtains should be cleaned or if using disposable privacy curtains, replaced every 6 months. To this effect we use disposable privacy curtains and ensure they are changed every 6 months or if dirty.

Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness: We have a cleaning specification and frequency policy which our cleaners and staff work to. An assessment of cleanliness is conducted by the cleaning team and logged. This includes all aspects in the surgery including cleanliness of equipment.

Training

All staff receives annual online training in infection prevention and control.

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date for this year.

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually. All are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes. The Infection Control policy is uploaded onto the Practice shared drive and available to all staff.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.

Review date

March 2023

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse and the Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.