Infection Control Annual Statement

Purpose

The annual statement will be generated each year in December and it will summarise:

• Any learning connected to cases of 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.

Infection Control Team

Hollie Bergin
Infection Control Lead Nurse

Natalie Green
Trainee Advanced Practitioner

This team is supported by all members of staff within the surgery who keep updated with infection prevention & control best practices, audits, and risk assessments are regularly completed.

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 two C.difficile case reviews and zero MRSA blood stream infection reviews. Feedback has included:

Audits and Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out to ensure best practice is being followed and minimise the risk of infection, to ensure the safety of patients and staff. We continue to work closely with ServiceMaster, to which high standards are maintained and regular inspections carried out.

Annual and quarterly audits relating to infection prevention & control are completed, and any areas highlighted for improvement are acted on promptly to ensure the safety of staff and service users. Some of the audits completed are,

• COVID-19
• Disposal of waste
• Legionella risk assessment
• Buildings and facilities that do not meet IPC best practice
• Annual infection control audit
• Hand hygiene
• ANTT
• National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness Technical

Staff Training

Two new clinical staff joined Eastfield House Surgery in the past 12-months and received infection control, hand-washing, and donning and doffing training within 2 months of employment.

90.5% of the practice patient-facing staff (clinical and reception staff) completed their online annual infection prevention & control update training.

100% of the practice non-patient-facing staff completed their 3-yearly infection prevention & control update training.

The IPC nurse 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 Surgery. Additional IPC measures on hands, face, space have been implemented due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There are leaflets/posters available in the Surgery 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 reviewed in line with national and local guidance changes and are updated 2 yearly (or sooner in the event of new guidance).

Date for review December 2024

Hollie Bergin (Infection Control Lead Nurse)
Eastfield House Surgery