Infection Prevention and Control
Annual Statement 2024
INFECTION CONTROL ANNUAL STATEMENT 2024
PURPOSE
This annual statement will be generated annually 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.
It summarises:
· Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure)
· Details of any infection control audits undertaken, and actions undertaken
· Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
· Details of staff training
· Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines
INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL (IPC) LEAD
The King’s Medical Practice lead for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is Helen Wright, ANP and Nurse Partner
The IPC Lead is supported by:
Nicola Hatfield – Practice Manage
Michael Land -Operations Manager
IPC champion and lead for cleaning and decontamination– Faiza Haq
Helen Wright and Faieza Haq attended the annual update for IPC leads on the 22.4.2024.
INFECTION TRANSMISSION INCIDENTS (SIGNIFICANT EVENTS)
Significant learning events (SLE’s), which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events, are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements.
All significant events are reviewed in the monthly staff meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff. In the past year we have had one significant event where a vaccine fridge door was left ajar. This has been fully investigated through our significant event procedure and action put in place. It resulted in the wastage of 16 Zostavax vaccines. No other vaccines had to be destroyed following manufacturers advice and the remaining stock was managed as per protocol. There have been no additional significant events pertaining to infection control and prevention.
INFECTION PREVENTION AUDIT AND ACTIONS
The Annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by the local IPC team in November 2023 with Helen Wright, Nichola Hatfield and Faieza Haq.
A score of 96% was achieved. The next audit will provided by the IPC local team to be undertaken in December 2024.
As a result of the audit, the following things have been changed at King’s Medical Practice
· Carpets have been cleaned using a steam cleaner along the corridor.
- Full assessment in line with the National Cleaning Standards has been undertaken with a new cleaning company with a view to them taking over the cleaning contract for King’s in January 2025.
· A process looking at the employment of a building maintenance service has commenced and remains ongoing with regards to manage the general wear and tear of all areas. Contractual obligation between the landlords and King’s remains in discussion and at this time if repairs are need King’s are paying for this as needed.
- A further leak and water damage in the training room upstairs occurred. The landlords arranged for the leak to be fixed last month and will review if this has been successful following a trial through bad weather and if has then re decoration of the room will be undertaken.
· LMP reports continue to be reviewed as a standard item at business meetings and actions agreed upon
- IPC strategy is reviewed in IPC team meeting monthly.
- IPC update and strategy is also discussed as a standing item at all Practice Partner meetings.
- Audits undertaken are now held on SharePoint.
- A training sessions and meeting is in place for the purchase and use of re-usable/wipable tourniquets .
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out / reviewed:
- Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment: The practice has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff.
- Immunisation: In response to the measles outbreak all staff were assessed with regards to their immune response to previous vaccination through provision of a blood test for titre levels and MMR vaccination was provided for any member of staff requiring this. A risk assessment of management of patients with potential measles infection was undertaken and a process for management of patient flow from initial contact put in place and embedded in the Practice triage system MAJIC. All staff informed via notification system and weekly bulletin a full outline of the plan and requirements from individuals.
- The same process was undertaken with regards of patient management for suspected/at risk of Monkey Pox and Pertussis following national guidance.
- We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.
- A review of the provision of recyclable disposable curtains is underway with a view to supporting Greener Practice commitments.
- Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness: regular meetings are in place to review the processes in line with the 2021 Cleaning specifications. A full break down identifying room type, cleaning requirement has been undertaking as per the cleaning specification requirement as per the guidelines. This is available as a hard copy and online and on the practice SharePoint
- Posters have been added to all clinical rooms highlighting clinicians’ responsibility in the rooms used that day.
- Audits are now undertaken on a rolling programme and undertaken by the IPC team and the current cleaning company. We continue to work with our new cleaning company to ensure that the surgery is kept as clean as possible and within the standards of the National Cleaning Guidelines.
- All new liquid soap dispensers are wall mounted in clinical.
TRAINING
· All Clinical and non-clinical staff complete Infection Control e-learning training annually. Face 2 face training was provided in practice by the IPC team in February 2024.
· All new staff receive Infection Control training at induction specific to their role at King’s Medical Practice
· All clinical staff assisting with the vaccine programmes have remained up to date with their training requirements with a mix in provision of training through online or face to face training.
POLICIES
All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date for this year. Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff on SharePoint to enable easier access and review. All protocol are reviewed and updated as required annually, and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes.
Patient group directions are now signed electronically and held on SharePoint.
RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.
REVIEW DATE
November 2025