Ridgmount Practice Annual Statement Report

 

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This annual statement will be generated each year in July 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 organisation’s website and will include the following summary:

•    Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken which will have been reported in accordance with our significant event procedure
•    Details of any infection control audits carried out and actions undertaken
•    Details of any risk assessments undertaken for the prevention and control of infection
•    Details of staff training
•    Any review or updates of policies, procedures and guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control [IPC] Lead

  • The practice lead for IPC is Dee Williams [Practice Nurse]
  • The IPC lead is supported by Carol Sheils [Practice Manager]

Infection Transmission Incidents

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

Infection Control Audits and Actions

During the last year the following audits have been undertaken:

Hand Hygiene = 100% pass    

  • Re-audit in one year and upon induction of new staff.

Aseptic Technique = 100% pass 

  • Re-audit in one year

Donning and Doffing [correctly putting on and removing PPE] = 100% pass

  • Re-audit one year

Specimens/sample management 

  • Audit showed that staff understand and are following procedures correctly

Waste Management 

  • As a result some new recycling bins are to be purchased and new labels for waste receptacles made to encourage appropriate waste segregation. Most clinical waste is classified as “offensive waste” and we have implemented this as per NHS guidelines and training has been given to staff

Post Contraceptive Implant Procedure Infection Audit = no infections were recorded post-procedure in the previous 12 months

Vaccine Storage and Transportation = the audit confirmed correct procedures followed for storage/receipt of vaccines

Staff immunisations

  • To keep patients and employees safe it is important staff have received appropriate immunisations. Most staff had received appropriate vaccines and had documentation of this
  • Two staff members needed to complete Hepatitis B and MMR vaccination courses and this is underway
  • One staff member needed a blood test to confirm immunity to measles which has been done and immunity confirmed

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised and made to be as low as reasonably possible and best practice established

In the last year the following risk assessments have been undertaken:

Control Of Substances Hazardous Health [COSHH]

  • Policy updated and inventory made of substances hazardous to health/data sheets obtained followed by risk assessments. No product used in the practice was deemed very high-risk requiring substitution or elimination.
  • Staff trained to handle substances with care and use PPE when appropriate.

Cleaning Standards

  • Regular audits of environmental/equipment cleanliness are undertaken by the IPC lead/Practice Manager and the external cleaning team which show high standards but some of the clinical rooms work surfaces can become cluttered. Staff have been reminded to keep surfaces clear/uncluttered and to check expiry dates regularly.
  • The cleaning contractors perform monthly audits which are shared with the Practice Manager.

Waste Management

  • Waste was checked to ensure appropriate waste streams being used for example infectious clinical waste must not be put in general waste bins. Sharps such as needles must be put into appropriate sharps container.
  • Used hand towels were found in some of the offensive waste bins.
  • Staff are regularly reminded re correct waste streams.
  • New recycling bins have been purchased, new labels for bins made to make it clearer what can be put in each receptacle

Wound Care

  • An assessment showed that all correct procedures were being undertaken by clinicians performing wound care to minimize the risk of infection/harm to patients.
  • Blood and body fluid exposure - underway

Training

  • All staff receive IPC training on induction and annually thereafter
  • Annual IPC training was last delivered on 12/6/24

Policies and Procedures

  • The IPC policy was reviewed and updated on 27/6/24

Responsibility

  • It is the responsibility of all staff members to be familiar with this statement

Review

  • The IPC lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement

Next review due July 2025