Infection Control Statement 2024
Purpose
In line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of practice on prevention and control of infection and its related guidance, this Annual Statement will be generated each year.
It will summarise:
- Any infection transmission incidents and any lessons learnt and action taken
- Details of any infection prevention and control (IPC) audits undertaken and any subsequent actions taken arising from these audits
- Details of any issues that may challenge infection prevention and control including risk assessment undertaken and subsequent actions implemented as a result
- Details of staff IPC training
- Details of review and update of IPC policies, procedures and guidance
Infection Control Lead
The Infection Control Lead will enable the integration of Infection Control principles into standards of care within the practice, by acting as a link between the surgery and Dorset CCG Infection Control Team. They will be the first point of contact for practice staff in respect of Infection Control issues. They will help create and maintain an environment which will ensure the safety of the patient / client, carers, visitors and health care workers in relation to Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI).
The Infection Control Lead will carry out the following within the practice:
- Increase awareness of Infection Control issues amongst staff and clients
- Help motivate colleagues to improve practice
- Improve local implementation of Infection Control policies
- Ensure that practice based Infection Control audits are undertaken
- Assist in the education of colleagues
- Help identify any Infection Control problems within the practice and work to resolve these, where necessary in conjunction with the local Infection Control Team
- Act as a role model within the practice
- Disseminate key Infection Control messages to their colleagues within the practice
Practice Infection Control Lead: Kitt Harris
Cleaning and Decontamination Lead: Kitt Harris
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
There have been no significant events reported regarding infection control issues in the period covered by this report.
AUDITS / RISK ASSESSMENT
The following audits/ assessments were carried out in the practice
Infection control annual audit – Date of assessment: March 2024
Infection Control Annual Audit 2024
Recommendations and findings are attached in the document
POLICIES, PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES
Reviewed annually or earlier when appropriate due to changes in regulation and evidence based guidance. However the following will be reviewed by Practice Manager and re-issued:
Standard Infection Control Precautions
Aseptic Technique
Isolation of Service Users with an Infection
Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps
Prevention and management of Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids (including sharps injuries)
Safe Handling and Disposal of Waste
Packaging and Handling of Specimens
Immunisation of Patients
Decontamination of Re-usable Medical Devices and Equipment
Single Use Medical Devices
Outbreaks of Infection / Communicable Disease
Reporting of Infections to the Health Protection Agency or Local Authority
CJD / vCJD – handling of instruments and devices
Environmental Cleaning
Uniform Policy / Dress Code
Antimicrobial Prescribing