Infection Control Annual Statement 2021

Staunton and Corse Surgery, Gloucester Road, GL19 3RB

August 2021

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year 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. The report will be published on the practice website and will include the following summary:

  • 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 the prevention and control of infection
  • Details of staff training
  • Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead

The lead for infection prevention and control at Staunton and Corse Surgery is Jennifer Odell, Nurse Manager.

The IPC Lead is supported by Sarah Bryant, Practice Manager

Infection transmission incidents (significant events)

Significant events involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events.

Positive events are discussed at meetings to allow all staff to be appraised of areas of best practice.

Negative events are managed by the staff member who either identified or was advised of any potential shortcoming. This person will complete a Significant Event Analysis (SEA) form that commences an investigation process to establish what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements.

All significant events are reviewed and discussed in several meetings each month. Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.

In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control. There have also been no complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.

Infection prevention audit and actions

The infection prevention and control audit was completed in August 2021.

This included sections on staff education and training, hand hygiene, PPE, prevention and management of needleticks and sharps injuries, specimen handling, waste handling and disposal and medical devices decontamination.

In addition, a room inspection was carried out with Sarah Bryant, Practice Manager. Minor improvements to infection prevention and control were identified and scheduled for action. Longer term consideration include the removal of carpeting in patient areas and redecoration projects were also identified.

Following teaching sessions, internal audits were performed on sharps bins and hand hygiene. Feedback was given to staff to ensure all staff are involved in promoting high standards of IPC.

A planned audit for the coming months is a review of donning / doffing of PPE.

Risk assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised to be as low as reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment that can identify best practice can be established and then followed.

In the last year, the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed:

  • General IPC risks
  • COSHH
  • Curtain cleaning or changes
  • Sharps
  • Covid-19 risk assessment

Training

All staff at Staunton and Corse surgery receive annual IPC refresher training.

This year training has included:

  • the management and use of needlestick / sharps injuries including the construction and sealing of sharps bins.
  • hand hygiene procedures

Future training schedules includes:

  • multiple use medical equipment decontamination
  • identification of sepsis

Policies and procedures

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. This has been particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all staff members at Staunton and Corse surgery to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.

Review

The IPC lead and Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.

This annual statement will be updated on or before August 2022.

Written by Jennifer Odell (Nurse Manager / ANP)

For and on behalf of Drs Whittle, Chambers and Fisher; Staunton and Corse Surgery