Infection Prevention and Control Annual Statement

 

Introduction

Policy statement

In accordance with The Health and Social Care Act 2008, The Bay Medical Centre is committed to the prevention of healthcare associated infection and patient safety is of the utmost priority.  Good management and organisational processes are crucial to ensure that high standards of infection prevention (including cleanliness) are maintained.

 

This practice ensured that it maintained compliance with the HSCA 2008 for infection control and cleanliness.

Status

This document and any procedures contained within it are non-contractual and may be modified or withdrawn at any time.  For the avoidance of doubt, it does not form part of your contract of employment.

Training and support

The practice will provide guidance and support to help those to whom it applies to understand their rights and responsibilities under this policy.  Additional support will be provided to managers and supervisors to enable them to deal more effectively with matters arising from this policy.

Scope

Who it applies to

This document applies to all employees of the practice, other individuals performing functions in relation to the practice, such as agency workers, locums, and contractors.

Why and how it applies to them

Infection prevention control is the responsibility of all staff at The Bay Medical Centre.  All personnel are to be fully au fait with the guidance given in the policies associated with this statement.

The practice aims to design and implement policies and procedures that meet the diverse needs of our service and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.  Consideration has been given to the impact this policy might have in respect to the individual protected characteristics of those to whom it applies.

 

Infection Prevention Control Statement

Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead

At The Bay Medical Centre the IPC leads are: Dr Kirsty Bateman, Dr Simon Nevitt, Practice Nurse Becky Blake.

Responsibilities

The IPC leads are responsible for promoting good infection control practice within The Bay Medical Centre. They are responsible for:

  • coordinating the audit programme, collating results and overseeing the development and progress of action plans where indicated.
  • updating local risk assessments against the code of practice.
  • ensuring that all staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training in infection prevention.
  • producing the annual IPC compliance and learning statement for the practice.
  • acting as a local resource and monitoring IPC standards and progress.

 

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are undertaken to control risks in the workplace. 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 that all our staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. Seasonal Flu). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits (for housebound patients) to our patient population.
  • Curtains: The NHS Cleaning Specifications state the curtains should be cleaned or if using disposable curtains, replaced every 6 months. To this effect we use disposable curtains and ensure they are changed every 6 months. The window blinds are very low risk and therefore do not require a particular cleaning regime other than regular vacuuming to prevent build-up of dust.
  • Toys and magazines: These have been removed due to COVID19 guidance.
  • Cleaning Specifications, frequencies and cleanliness: An assessment of cleanliness is conducted by the IPC Lead on a monthly basis and logged.
  • Hand washing sinks: The practice has clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. Some of our sinks do not meet the latest standards for sinks but we have removed plugs and reminded staff to turn taps that are not “hands free” with paper towels to keep patients safe.

Significant events

Significant event analysis (SEA) should act as a learning process for the whole practice, as significant events can reflect good as well as poor practice.  In relation to infection control, In the past year there have been 0 significant event raised. All significant events are reviewed and discussed in practice meetings each month. Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.

Audit

Audit is an essential component of any infection prevention and control strategy.

Infection Prevention and Control annual audits were completed in September 2022 by Rebecca Blake.

As a result of the audits, the following things have been implemented:

  • Deep cleaning of floors at regular intervals.
  • New, up to date hand hygiene posters at each clinical sink.
  • Redecoration throughout building.
  • Policies related to Infection Prevention and Control updated.

 

The Practice plan to undertake the following audits in 2023/2024

  • Infection Prevention and Control audit – Annually
  • Environmental Cleanliness audit – Every month
  • Hand Hygiene & Asepsis audits – 1-2 monthly

The IPC leads will feed back in practice meetings and can provide further detailed information regarding the audits and subsequent action plans.

Guidance documentation and policies

The Bay Medical Centre refers to the Infection Prevention and Control Policy which includes:

  • Hand Hygiene
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Cleaning and decontamination
  • Handling specimens
  • Waste management
  • Spillages
  • Needle stick Injuries
  • Sharps Management
  • Asepsis
  • Infectious Disease/ Isolation Policy

 

Policies relating to infection prevention and control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually. Additionally, all policies are amended on an ongoing basis as per current advice, guidance and legislation changes.  All policies can be accessed by all staff on TeamNet.

Summary

All staff undertake infection prevention and control training and are committed to maintaining high standards of infection prevention and cleanliness within The Bay Medical Practice.

Regular training, audits and reviews are key to the prevention of healthcare associated infection and are monitored by The Bay Management team and the IPC team.

The IPC Leads and Practice Managers Karen Hermans and Jason McLean are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.

This annual statement will be updated on or before 01/09/2024

Signed by

01/09/2023

Rebecca Blake IPC Lead Practice Nurse

For and on behalf of Then Bay Medical Practice