Infection Control Annual Statement

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

Beaumont Elms Practice Lead for Infection Prevention/Control is Vivien Gardner (practice nurse) who is supported by Jayne Haynes (GP lead) & Alice Atkinson (non-clinical).

This team keeps updated with infection prevention and 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 4 C. difficile case reviews and 0 MRSA bloodstream infection reviews.

Feedback has included:

Audits:

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

Shared learning from audits in this financial year include:

• Annual audit template now includes complete IPC overview;
• Audit of clinical room fixtures underway;
• Review cleaning schedule;
• Refurbishment of cleaning store anticipated.

Key changes to practice implemented as a result of these audits:

• Handwashing sessions now tied into PLT sessions for catch ups;
• Handwashing posters updated to include wrists;
• Upgrading soap and toilet roll dispensers;
• Patient toilets redecorated;
• Equipment cleaning checklist planned for each room;
• Staff reminder to clean couches between patients and that couch roll is not for infection control.

Staff

• No of new staff appointed - 13
• No. of new staff completed IP&C induction training - 13
• No. of Clinical staff - 52
• No. of Clinical staff up to date with IP&C  training (every 24 months) - 47
• No. of Non-Clinical staff - 34
• No. of Non-Clinical staff up to date with IP&C  training (every 36 months) - 32

Infection Control Advice to Patients:

Patients are encouraged to use the alcohol hand gel/sanitiser dispensers that are available throughout the facility.

There are leaflets/posters available in the surgery/ on the website for:

• Infection control;
• MRSA;
• Measles;
• Antibiotic Stewardship;
• Vaccinations and immunisations;
• Healthy lifestyles (weight loss, smoking cessation).

Policies, procedures and guidelines available to all staff

• IPC policies
• SCAN guidance
• Water safety