Completing the Annual Statement for Infection Prevention and Control (Primary Care)
It is a requirement of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance that the Infection Prevention and Control Lead produces an annual statement with regard to compliance with good practice on infection prevention and control and makes it available for anyone who wishes to see it, including patients and regulatory authorities.
As best practice, the Annual Statement should be published on the Practice website.
The Annual Statement should provide a short review of any:
· known infection transmission event and actions arising from this;
· audits undertaken and subsequent actions;
· risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection;
· training received by staff; and
· review and update of policies, procedures and guidance.
Below is a suggested template for the Annual Statement compiled from national guidance and examples of best practice found on the internet. Practices can (and should) adapt the template and add further detail/headings/examples but the five key headings (above) must be included. If the practice are unable to complete one or more of the five key headings, it is likely that the practice are not compliant with the health and Social Care Act.
Infection Control Annual Statement
Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in June 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 summaries:
· 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
The Stubbington Medical Practice has one Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Vikki Bartlett, ANP & Nurse Manager
The IPC Lead is supported by: Janet Fry, PM & GP Partners
All staff undergo annual Infection Control Training.
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 weekly partner meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff every 3-4 months.
In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection control.
Infection Prevention Audit and Actions
The Annual Infection Prevention and Control Audit was completed by Vikki Bartlett May 23.
As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed in Stubbington Practice.
· Reg sharps bins Audit every 3 months
· Improvement in external waste storage
Minor surgery is no longer undertaken at the Surgery.
No infections were reported involving any of our patients having procedures at the surgery over the past year.
An Audit on hand washing was undertaken in Nov 23, next due by end of June 24.
The SMP practice plan to undertake the following audits in 2024
· Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit
· Minor Surgery outcomes Audit – including contraceptive implants, steroid joint injections.
· Domestic Cleaning audit
· Hand hygiene audit
· Sharps Bin Audit
· Waste management audit
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 that all of our staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunizations 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.
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. The modesty curtains although handled by clinicians are never handled by patients and clinicians have been reminded to always remove gloves and clean hands after an examination and before touching the curtains. All curtains are regularly reviewed and changed if visibly soiled.
Toys: We have no toys in the practice or NHS Cleaning Specifications recommend that all toys are cleaned regularly and we therefore provide only wipeable toys in waiting / consultation rooms.
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.
Each clinical treatment room have daily cleaning checklists, Appropriate disinfectant wipes are available in all rooms along with PPE
Our diagnostic equipment is cleaned after each use, in line with manufacturers instructions.
Fridges – are cleaned weekly – 3 separate vaccines fridges and one specimen fridge.
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, covered overflows and reminded staff to turn of taps that are not ‘hands free’ with paper towels to keep patients safe. We have also replaced our liquid soap with wall mounted soap dispensers to ensure cleanliness.
Training
All our staff receive annual mandatory training in infection prevention and control, which is monitored by their line manager.
GP’s undertaking coil and Implanon implants and joint injections have undertaken specialist training.
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.
Staff are expected to keep themselves update and help to implement any current changes to practice.
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.
Review date
June 2025
Responsibility for Review
The Infection Prevention and Control Lead and the PM Janet Fry and Nurse Manager Vikki Bartlett are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.
Vikki bartlett
ANP/ Nurse Manager
For and on behalf of the SMP Practice