KMP: Infection Control Annual Statement: October 2014.
Our aim is to keep a clean and tidy surgery, to promote a safe environment for staff,
patients and visitors in line with national and local guidelines.
This environment is the interface between the patient and the organisation and it
provides both a practical and safe area in which to provide patient care.
Every single person who works in healthcare has a responsibility to reduce infection
risk by practising standard principles of infection control. This includes direct contact,
indirect contact and airborne transmission.
Purpose:
The annual statement will be generated each year in October and will summarise :
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Details of any infection transmission incidents and action taken (reported in
line with our significant event procedure)
Details of any infection control audits undertaken and action taken
Details of any infection control risk assessments undertaken
Staff training
Review and update of policies / procedures / guidelines which may be
required
Background:
The infection control lead is Judith Marsh our Nurse Manager supported by Dr
Rajasekar or CQC Lead GP partner and Nicola Flisher our Practice Manager.
Knowledge, information and any updates are shared with all staff
Training:
All members of our nursing team have completed Infection Control level 1 training in
the last 12 months and are working towards Level 2.
There is a plan for all the GPs to work towards completing Level 1 infection control
training. Those GPs responsible for performing minor surgery or other procedures
remain updated re: infection control principles as per their continuing professional
development needs.
The Healthcare Assistants all attended an in-house infection control training update,
which was facilitated by Harriet Newson, one of our Practice Nurses and several
actions were instigated by the nursing team.
The cleaners are working towards the online CQC cleaning standards training online.
Significant Events:
The practice has not yet been visited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and
there have been no in-house significant events in relation to infection control in the
previous 12 months.
Infection Prevention and Control:
We have had a clinical waste audit carried out in May 2014 with specific
recommendations and an action plan has been developed to address these. KMP
was found to be ‘Amber’ status and we will be aiming for Green status at the next
clinical waste audit.
The Nurse Manager and Practice Manager will carry out an annual risk audit around
infection control issues in the practice environment in January each year, to ensure
all areas are compliant.
This year we have reviewed all consulting room flooring and chairs. Downstairs there
are 9 consulting rooms in total. This includes 3 clinical treatment rooms and one GP
consulting room with appropriate clinical treatment washable flooring.
Upstairs there are 7 consulting rooms in total. This includes 2 clinical treatment
rooms with appropriate clinical treatment room washable flooring and one of the GP
consulting rooms has part washable flooring.
In line with CQC requirements, all fabric covered patient chairs in consulting rooms
are to be replaced with chairs with wipeable surfaces this year.
Spot checks are conducted monthly and if minor issues are identified, these will be
documented and rectified as soon as possible. There is a responsibility for the
clinician working in the room to ensure the clinical environment is safe and
uncluttered to assist the cleaners and prevent transmission of infection.
Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness of equipment:
The practice manager Nicola Flisher and our cleaners have worked together to
update the cleaning specifications for the practice. Judith Marsh has updated the
policy for frequency of decontamination and cleanliness of equipment. This is an
ongoing process as new local and national guidelines are published
Legionella:
A legionella risk assessment has been completed in September 2014 using
recognised testing kits in line with Health & Safety local and National guidelines.
Policies, procedures and guidelines:
This year policies reviewed have included; infection control, decontamination, clinical
waste and hand hygiene to ensure all are adequate for a general practice
environment. These policies will be reviewed and updated annually as appropriate.
This is an ongoing process and amendments will be made as current advice
changes.
Specific Actions for next 12 mths:
-
Change of all patient chairs
Aim for ‘Green’ status on clinical waste audit
Update protocols for all infection control and decontamination issues in line
with CQC requirements
Ensure all clinical staff have completed Level 1 infection control training.
Completed October 2014
Judith Marsh