Infection Control Annual Statement
Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in September. It summarizes:
- 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 staff training
- Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines
Scope
This Protocol applies to all staff employed by the practice
IC Lead
The practice manager, is our IC lead supported by Jo Hill Practice Nurse
Training
Practice Nurse has attended an Infection Control Lead training course in 2021 and keeps up to date with IC policy and provides update training to the rest of the practice team at our Protected Education meetings annually. Staff that are unable to be present at the training are given a copy of the minutes and the training presentation is stored on our practice shared drive in the training section available to all staff.
Immunisation
As a practice we ensure that all of our clinical staff are up to date with their Hep B immunisations and offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. MMR, Seasonal Flu). We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.
Cleaning
- Our contract cleaner’s work to cleaning specifications laid out in their contract along with frequencies and an annual audit takes place to ensure these are being met. Cleaning equipment is stored in accordance with the NHS Cleaning Specifications.
- We provide minimal toys to help entertain children whilst they are in the waiting room and during consultations. NHS Cleaning Specifications recommend that all toys are clean regularly and we therefore provide only wipe able mounted toys in both waiting rooms.
- The surgery has blinds at the windows and in consulting rooms. All, blinds will be cleaned as per our contract cleaning specification. In the doctor’s room the modesty screens are paper type material and changed annually.
- Spill kits for blood, vomit or urine are provided in the reception office and treatment room complete with all necessary PPE.
- Our Air conditioning units are serviced annually to prevent any legionella build up in line with our Legionella Risk Assessment.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
The practice provides PPE for all members of the team in line with their role
- Clinical staff are provided with aprons, several different types and sizes of gloves and goggles/face shields
- Reception staff are provided with gloves for the handling of sample pots and sharps bins
Waste
- Clinical waste is categorized and stored in line with our waste management policy and collected weekly, waste transfer sheets are stored and archived for 5 years.
- Domestic waste is disposed of via a commercial wheelie bin commissioned form the local council. Collections take place weekly
Fixtures, Fittings & Furniture
Where possible all decorating, renewals and repairs will be made in line with infection control guidelines;
- Where planned renewals of fixtures such and sinks and taps will ensure complaint items are installed where they are not currently at full spec.
- A rolling plan of redecoration is in place and where performed wall coatings will be in line with infection control guidelines.
- The seating and exam couches in the clinical rooms are in good repair and of wipe able materials.
Audit
An annual Infection Prevention and Control in General practice audit was completed by the practice manager and reported to the Partners. All policies and procedures are updated every 2 years. There have not been any infection control incidents.
Our Post Minor Surgery Infection Audit was competed and showed no areas of concern.
Policies
Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are stored on the shared drive - in the Health & Safety folder. These are reviewed and updated bi-annually as appropriate. However, all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice changes.
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles & responsibilities under this. It is also the responsibility of the practice manager to ensure staff are familiar with the contents.
Review date
Original written November 2014, reviewed bi-annually, due for review November 2023.
Responsibility for Review
The Practice Manager & IC lead nurse are responsible for reviewing the Statement