Infection Control Annual Statement

Infection Control Annual Statement 2023/2024

Purpose

The annual statement will be generated each year. It will summarise:

• Any learning connected to cases of C. difficile infection and Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infections and action undertaken;
• The annual infection control audit summary and actions undertaken;
• Infection Control risk assessments and actions undertaken;
• Details of staff training (both as part of induction and annual training) with regards to infection prevention & control;
• Details of infection control advice to patients;
• Any review and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Background

Didcot Health Centre, Lead for Infection Prevention /Control is Laura Murphy, role Practice Nurse, who is supported by Gill Suter, role Assistant Practice Manager. 

This team keeps updated with infection prevention & control practices and share necessary information with staff and patients throughout the year.

Significant events

Detailed post-infection reviews are carried out across the whole health economy for cases of C. difficile infection and Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections. This includes reviewing the care given by the GP and other primary care colleagues. Any learning is identified and fed back to the surgery for actioning.

This year the surgery has been involved in 0 C. difficile case reviews and 0 MRSA blood stream infection reviews. Feedback has included:

Audits

Detail what audits were undertaken and by whom and any key changes to practice implemented as a result.

Infection Prevention Control and Efficacy

• Date: September 2023
• Auditor: Laura Murphy
• Key Changes: Introduction of QR codes linked to online audits and checks.

Hand Hygiene

• Date: August 2023
• Auditor: Laura Murphy
• Key Changes: None required

ANTT 

• Date: October 2023
• Auditor: Laura Murphy
• Key Changes: None required

National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness Technical

• Date: September 2023
• Auditor: Laura Murphy
• Key Changes: New, tighter cleaning audit regime, cleaners replaced.

Infection Control Risk Assessments

Regular Infection Control risk assessments are undertaken to minimise the risk of infection and to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The following Infection Control risk assessments have been completed in the past year and appropriate actions have been taken:

• COVID-19 outbreak
• Provision and cleaning of toys
• Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
• Disposal of waste
• Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and occupational infections
• Minor surgery
• Sharps injury
• Use of personal protective clothing/equipment
• Risk of body fluid spills
• Legionella risk assessment
• Buildings and facilities that do not meet IPC best practice

Only list risk assessments that have been completed in the past 12-months and ensure there is evidence of actions taken as a result (as the CQC may ask to see these documents). List any Cold Chain events and actions taken.

Staff training

• Six new staff joined this Medical Centre/Surgery in the past 12-months and received infection control, hand-washing, and donning and doffing training within 1 months of employment (where appropriate).
• 54% of the practice patient-facing staff (clinical and reception staff) completed their annual infection prevention & control update training (specify whether this was in a formal training session or online).
• 75% of the practice non-patient-facing staff completed their 3-yearly/annual infection prevention & control update training.
• The IPC nurse/practitioner attended training updates for their role. Training is provided by the BOB ICB Webinars.

Infection Control Advice to Patients

Patients are encouraged to use the alcohol hand gel/sanitiser dispensers that are available throughout the Medical Centre/Surgery. Additional IPC measures on hands, face, space have been implemented due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

There are leaflets/posters available in the practice regarding:

• MRSA
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• COVID-19
• Norovirus
• Influenza
• Recognising symptoms of TB
• The importance of immunisations (e.g. in childhood and preparation for overseas travel)

Policies, procedures, and guidelines

Documents related to infection prevention & control are available to all and reviewed in line with national and local guidance changes and are updated 2-yearly (or sooner in the event on new guidance).