Infection Prevention & Control Annual Statement for Guildowns Group Practice 2024

Background

Part 3, section 1.4 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance states that the Infection Control Prevention Lead should produce:

·     An annual statement with regard to compliance with practice on infection prevention and cleanliness and make it available on request

·     An audit programme to ensure that appropriate policies have been developed and implemented

·     Evidence that the annual statement from the Infection Prevention Lead has been reviewed and, where indicated, acted upon.

Introduction

Nurse Anne Bernicchi is responsible for the management of IPC within the Practice. Since that time, they have completed additional training to gain competency to prepare for annual completion of audits, reviews of national/local guidance and updating of practice IPC practices, protocols and policy.

In July 2022, we were re-inspected by CQC and have been rated ‘Good’ overall. There were no IPC related matters that needed attention.

From May 2023 Anne Bernicchi has taken over as sole Lead IPC Nurse. Routine audits and action plans have taken place in 2023.

Policy Changes

Policies updated appropriately with current guidelines.

Quarterly Meetings

In order to promote effective communication of IPC issues and evidence identified actions, IPC Leads Team will meet for scheduled quarterly meetings;

·         December 2023

·         March 2024

·         June 2024

·         September 2024

·         December 2024

Compliance criterion

Criterion 1

Systems to manage and monitor the prevention and control of infection. These systems use risk assessments and consider the susceptibility of service users and any risks that their environment and other users may pose to them.

:Annual IPC audits, action plans, cleaning logs, policies and protocols

:Prevention of spread of infectious disease. In the last year we have had notification of a patient(student) that had contracted Meningitis. Our manager received a call from the South East Health Protection Team at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and we were also notified via email by the University of Surrey wellbeing team.

UKHSA recommended antibiotic prophylaxis for contacts that they had identified (Ciprofloxacin) and asked us to circulate the following guidance (please see page 28 for details): PHE_meningo_disease_guideline.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

We asked contacts not to come in to prevent spread– CO was duty and dealt with via telephone. Prescriptions were issued to the contacts who were registered with us same day.

Currently we have an outbreak of Measles in the Surrey area.

Updated guidance has been included in the weekly newsletter with flow chart attached for all staff to use when considering and managing suspected cases.

Please see policy called Dealing with Possible Infectious Patients.

:Carpets in waiting room Risk Assessment. In the past year we have risk assessed the carpets in the common areas of Wodeland Ave Surgery(WA) and the Student Health Centre(SHC).It was deemed due to the amount of patients as well as the cohort of patients; including unwell patients being seen by the Urgent Care Team; babies and young children; patients with chronic illness; and the elderly, that WA was more at risk of the spread of infection than the SHC, which see mainly students.

:Torn bed cover Action Plan. Noticed through IPC annual audit. Bed replaced and action completed.

:Prevention of Legionaires Disease. Managed by our Health and Safety Lead DV, there is a policy in place (this can be found on the Y drive/policies and protocols/health and safety/Legionella) as well as evidence of constant monitoring.(Y Drive/Health and Safety Monitoring keep/Legionella.)

:Suspected Infectious Patients: Patients are asked to wait in their cars or if on foot in an isolated area so infection can be contained. Staff wear appropriate PPE and with the correct use of handwashing, cleaning of rooms, and waste management, to limit the spread of infection.

Criterion 2

The provision and maintenance of a clean and appropriate environment in managed premises that facilitates the prevention and control of infections.

Cleaning company: Up to date on required protocols for the appropriate cleaning of all four surgeries.

Handwashing policy and audits. Online training at induction

:Waste Management. See Protocol Y Drive. Training of staff.

 

:Cleaning Logs. Equipment is cleaned after use each day and the relevant log book signed. Cleaning sign sheets are on the walls in all minor procedure rooms and are signed after use on the day. Logged cleaning audit using Matrix criteria sent to DV monthly.

 

 :Aseptic Technique. According to the latest guidelines. Training of all staff involved in procedures requiring aseptic technique. Single use equipment.

 

 :PPE. Appropriate use of masks, gloves, aprons. Training. Correct use of spills kit.

 

:Designated Cleaning slots: These are to allow time for staff to clean equipment and rooms as well as empty waste.

 

:Carpets in waiting rooms: Awaiting quote for 3 and 6 monthly deep cleaning.

 

Criterion 3

Appropriate antimicrobial use and stewardship to optimise outcomes and to reduce the risk of adverse events and antimicrobial resistance.

 

:Handwashing and Use of Hand Sanitizer. Use of soap for handwashing . Use of antimicrobial hand sanitizer if the dirt is not visible.

 

:Wound Dressings. Appropriate use of Antimicrobial dressings achieved by staff training.

 

:Cleaning of equipment. Appropriate wipes and solutions used to clean equipment and furniture. Cleaning logs as evidence.

 

:Prescribing. Appropriate prescribing achieved through training and updates.

 

:Storage of cleaning products. According to COSHH.

 

Criterion 4

The provision of suitable accurate information on infections to service users, their visitors and any person concerned with providing further social care support or nursing/medical care in a timely fashion.

 

:Notification of infectious diseases. Patients will be called if in direct contact with any infectious disease as notified to us by PHE.

 

:Notifications to patients via AccuRx. Notifications to patients to inform them about flu season and encouraging them to attend flu clinic.

Invitations for appropriate vaccinations such as Shingles, Pneumonia and MMR.

 

:Posters and leaflets in waiting room. These are updates and changed appropriately.

 

:Staff training. Achieved through good communication through clinical meetings, Practice based quarterly learning, online training, weekly newsletter with appropriate links.

 

Criterion 5

That there is a policy for ensuring that people who have or are at risk of developing an infection are identified promptly and receive the appropriate treatment and care to reduce the risk of transmission of infection to other people.

 

:Criteria of vulnerable and immunosuppressed patients. Patients who fall into this category are offered vaccines and other regular investigations to ensure patient safety and prevention of illness.

 

:Appropriate treatment or onward referral. Keeping abreast of current treatment updates through training and good communication.

 

:Prevention of spread. Following protocols to maintain and prevent spread of infection such as isolating suspected infectious patients when attending surgery. Advising patients to isolate from the local community and family members. Advizing infection control measures such as hand washing, mask wearing, cleaning of environment.

 

:Running searches. Ensuring contact patients are notified and given correct information on what to expect/be aware of and what to do.

 

:AccuRx. Use of this tool to send notifications to patients in bulk in a quick and efficient manner.

 

Criterion 6

Systems are in place to ensure that all care workers (including contractors and volunteers) are aware of and discharge their responsibilities in the process of preventing and controlling infection.

 

:IPC policies and protocols. Kept on the Y Drive and also on the Intranet for easy access for staff.

 

:Annual IPC audits .Taken for each site.

 

:Aseptic technique. Training and review protocol .

 

:Hand washing and PPE.Training

 

:Cleaning protocols. Rooms and equipment

 

:Single use equipment

 

Criterion 7

The provision or ability to secure adequate isolation facilities.

 

Designated Clinic Room. Most cases seen that are suspected to be highly infectious are examined at Wodeland Ave Surgery by the UCT.

A designated examining room is allocated for this purpose.

If for some reason the room is not available, the patient is asked to wait in the car until called through by the clinician. The patient does not wait in the waiting room.

The clinician will wear the appropriate PPE and deposit this correctly into the waste once the patient has left and the room cleaned thoroughly.

The patient will be asked to leave via the back door to prevent contact with other patients or reception staff.

Cleaning protocols are in place for once the patient has departed the room.

Any notifiable diseases will be recorded and the relevant notifications sent through to PHE.

 

Criterion 8

The ability to secure adequate access to laboratory support as appropriate.

 

:Collections of samples.Prearranged times for each surgery three times per day for the collection of samples.

If any late evening EA clinics an extra collection time has been arranged.

 

:Telephonic. Any abnormal samples are called through to the surgery by the lab. A telephone number is available to contact the lab for any queries about samples.

Notifications via email are also sent from the lab to update us on waiting times or any other changes.

 

Criterion 9

That they have and adhere to policies designed for the individual’s care, and provider organisations that will help to prevent and control infections.

 

Policies and Protocols. Please see Y Drive/Policies and Protocols.

These are reviewed and updated timeously to ensure high standards of infection control, as well as health and safety measures in order to protect both patients and staff alike. These include other provider organizations such as waste management, Cleaning company ,updates from local government providing information ,safety alerts for equipment and drugs, calibration of equipment, to name but a few.

 

Criterion 10

That they have a system or process in place to manage staff health and wellbeing, and organisational obligation to manage infection, prevention and control.

 

Wellbeing support staff members. Designated staff members with a role to support, in confidence, any staff member who is in need of any mental or emotional support.

Policies to manage staff illness to reduce spread of infection. Staff who contract vomiting and diarrhoea need to be free of symptoms for 48 hours before returning to work. Current guidance for staff with Covid pos infection is to remain at home for 5 days. This is to ensure spread does not take place amoungst other staff members as well as patients.

Vaccinations. Staff are encouraged to have the flu vaccine annually, this is provided at the practice.

Handwashing policy. All staff members do online training to learn the correct technique for handwashing. There is an audit to show this done by DV.

Provision of equipment. PPE , soap, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes are freely available for staff use and visiting patients.

Infection Control. Online training for all staff.

Infection Control Lead Nurse.Maintains and ensures all protocols are in place. Annual IPC audits with any relevant action plans to be put in place and dealt with in a timely manner. Works with the practice staff to ensure high standards are maintained in order to prevent spread of infection eg. all clinicians must be bare below the elbows, no jewellery, aseptic technique. Good communication about updates and latest knowledge via weekly newsletter to all staff.