Infection control statement

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in August 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) Lead

Ranworth Surgery has 1 Nurse Lead for Infection Prevention and Control and is supported by the Healthcare Assistants.

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 in the Monthly Clinical meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff. In the past year there have been NO significant events raised that related to infection control.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

An Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed on the 21st March 2022 by North East Essex GP Federation GP Primary Choice. As a result of the audit and observations, the following actions were taken:

  • Urinalysis sticks have been removed from hand basins in clinical rooms. All urinalysis to take place in the dirty utility room (or other suitable room where a dirty sluice is not present).
  • Boxes have now been moved and stored above ground level.
  • Debris on floor has been cleared up.

Immunisation

As a practice we ensure that all of our clinical staff are offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. Hepatitis B, 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. We have previously been involved in the COVID 19 Immunisation programme.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

The practice provides PPE for all members of the team in line with their role, and this is very important during the COVID Pandemic that stocks are high. Clinical staff are provided with aprons, several different types and sizes of gloves and goggles/face shields, and there are no issues with supply currently.

Sharps bins must be disposed of i.e., incinerated, after 3 months and not to be kept for longer than this. The correct lidded sharps bin should be used depending on what is being disposed; for example, a live vaccine such as Rotarix would go into a purple topped bin. They should be signed and locked as per protocol to avoid sharps injury and contamination.

Training

All staff complete E Learning training on Infection Control relevant to role.

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 and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance, and legislation changes. Infection Control policies are located on our surgery shared drive and can be viewed by all staff at any time.

Responsibility

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

Covid-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic and Lockdown the majority of face-to-face GP consultations had moved to telephone triage, however patients that needed to be seen face to face were still seen.

Our clear aim remains to provide efficient and effective patient care.

The waiting room seating was rearranged to allow for social distancing.  There were clear floor markers so that patients remain socially distanced from themselves.

The children and teenage immunisation programmes were still being undertaken, along with essential services such as wound care and blood tests.

We had and still have access to all types of PPE which is worn appropriately by the clinical staff in the correct situation, before the recently updated guidance on face masks, all staff throughout the building was wearing face masks.  Hand gel dispensers are also accessible for patient use and we encouraged patients to wear a face covering if possible.

During the pandemic, all staff have been doing twice weekly COVID lateral flow tests and following reporting procedure and protocol as set out by NHS COVID-19 website.

Review date August 2023

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.

Date published: 30th October, 2023
Date last updated: 30th October, 2023