Infection Control Statement

Infection Control Annual Statment 2023-2024

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in October. It will summarise:

• Any infection transmission incidents and any actions taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Event Policy)
• Details of any infection control audits undertaken and actions taken
• Details of any infection control risk assessments undertaken
• Details of staff training
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines 

Background 

Sturry Surgery and Canterbury Health Centre have a 1 Lead GP and 1 Deputy Lead Nurse for Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC).

Dr K Patel is a GP Partner who has been at the surgery since August 2018, and Nurse Karen Rahman is our Lead Practice Nurse who has been with the surgery since January 2017. Both have extensive experience in working in clinical environments and maintaining Infection, Prevention and Control standards.

Our aim is that between both Dr Patel and Nurse Karen, Infection, Prevention and Control standards are maintained to the highest possible standards by regularly reviewing our processes and promoting and encouraging wider learning of IPC standards within the surgery team. This will be done by regularly sharing information through clinical and practice meetings and by regular audits and action plans.

Significant Events

Between April 2023 and March 2024 there has been 1 incident recorded where the Practice considered a significant event review to be necessary. Both incidents were in relation to breaches of cold chain in vaccine management. Both incidents were identified before any adverse outcome occurred. These are detailed in the Practice’s Significant Analysis Log. 

Audits

An audit was carried out across both sites by infection prevention solutions on 29th August 2023. The name of the auditor was William Pillow.

Following this audit there were multiple areas highlighted for review and improvement. These included:

• Ensure all staff have completed annual IPC training – ongoing
• Implement a sharps risk assessment – Completed
• Ensure there are posters in relevant places outlining process for management of needle stick injuries – Completed
• Keep environmental check lists as documented evidence that all surfaces have been routinely and thoroughly cleaned – Completed
• Re-usable clinical equipment decontamination schedules should be available to provide information on frequency of de-contamination – Completed 
• Flooring in clinical areas should be heat sealed at seams/edges to prevent accumulation of dust and dirt, and facilitate cleaning – Completed
• Damaged examination/treatment couches should be replaced or repaired with a wipeable cover – Completed
• Disposable curtains label for date of change should be completed – Completed
• Curtains/blinds should be replaced as required if frayed or torn – Completed
• Taps on the clinical hand wash basins should not have swan neck fittings and should be considered for replacement – Ongoing, funding dependant 
• Disposable paper roll should be removed and replaced with paper towels – Ongoing
• A local protocol should be available that clarifies the frequency of laundering/disposal of mop-heads – Ongoing
• Records should be kept of when the vaccine fridge is cleaned – Ongoing

Risk Assessments

Work place risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. They are carried out on a monthly basis at both sites. A detailed annual risk assessment was carried out on 29th August 2023. Majority of the actions recommended have now been completed, including updating relevant protocols, amending processes and devising any missing policies. 

Full details of the Practice’s risk assessment can be found in the Practice intranet, under Health and Safety. 

Infection Prevention Control Training

All staff are instructed to complete their Infection, Prevention and Control training annually. All administrative staff are required to do level 1 and all clinical staff are required to do level 2. 

As at 1st October 2024, 70% of admin staff and 60% of clinical staff have completed their annual refresher training. This will be addressed urgently.  

Reviews / Updates of Policies, Guidance and Procedures

• All risk assessments were reviewed and updated between 11/10/2023 – 22/11/2023
• Infection control and clinical waste management policy has been reviewed and updated – 22/11/2023
• Cleaning audits are now carried out monthly by the cleaning company, with regular action plans provided
• The Health and Safety Policy has been reviewed and updated 17/04/2024
• Vaccine management and drug storage policy was updated on 31/10/2023
• We are currently putting processes in place to support the work surrounding antimicrobial resistance

The next annual statement will be reviewed and shared by 1st October 2025.