Introduction
Policy statement
In accordance with The Health and Social Care Act 2008, Ashford Medical Partnership is committed to the prevention of healthcare associated infection and patient safety is of the utmost priority. Good management and organisational processes are crucial to ensure that high standards of infection prevention (including cleanliness) are maintained.
Status
This document and any procedures contained within it are non-contractual and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not form part of your contract of employment.
Training and support
The practice will provide guidance and support to help those to whom it applies to understand their rights and responsibilities under this policy. Additional support will be provided to managers and supervisors to enable them to deal more effectively with matters arising from this policy.
Scope
Who it applies to
This document applies to all employees of the practice, other individuals performing functions in relation to the practice, such as agency workers, locums, and contractors.
Why and how it applies to them
Infection prevention control is the responsibility of all staff at Ashford Medical Partnership. All personnel are to be fully au fait with the guidance given in the policies associated with this statement.
The practice aims to design and implement policies and procedures that meet the diverse needs of our service and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Consideration has been given to the impact this policy might have in respect to the individual protected characteristics of those to whom it applies.
Infection Prevention Control Statement
Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead
At Ashford Medical Partnership the IPC lead is Dr James Wong and Lead practice nurse Áine Quigley.
Responsibilities
The IPC lead is responsible for promoting good infection control practice within Ashford Medical Partnership. They are to ensure that:
- They provide timely advice to colleagues, service users and relatives (where applicable)
- Training is provided regarding the standard principles of infection prevention control, specifically training in hand decontamination, the use of PPE and the safe use of and disposal of sharps (this list is not exhaustive)
- Appropriate supplies of sharps containers, PPE and materials for hand decontamination are available
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are undertaken to control risks in the workplace
Recommendation
Following the above risk assessments, the following recommendations were made/actions taken:
Significant events
Significant event analysis (SEA) should act as a learning process for the whole practice, as significant events can reflect good as well as poor practice.
Audit
Audit is an essential component of any infection prevention and control strategy weekly, monthly and quarterly audits are undertaken at Ashford Medical Partnership.
The IPC lead can provide further detailed information regarding the audits and subsequent action plans.
Guidance documentation and policies
Ashford Medical Partnership refers to the following guidance documentation and policies which are related to infection prevent and control:
- AMP Red Zone policy
- Infection Control Policy
- Infection Control Inspection Checklist
- Infection Control Protocol
Summary
All staff undertake infection prevention and control training and are committed to maintaining high standards of infection prevention and cleanliness within Ashford Medical Partnership.
Regular training, audits and reviews are key to the prevention of healthcare associated infection.
Annex A – Example Infection Control Annual Statement
Ashford Medical Partnership 17/12/2020
Purpose
This annual statement will be generated each year in December 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. The report will be published on the practice website and will include the following summary:
- 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 the 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 lead for infection prevention and control at Ashford Medical Partnership is Dr James Wong.
The IPC Lead is supported by Lead practice nurse Áine Quigley.
a. Infection transmission incidents (significant events)
Significant events involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events.
Positive events are discussed at meetings to allow all staff to be appraised of areas of best practice.
Negative events are managed by the staff member who either identified or was advised of any potential shortcoming. This person will complete a Significant Event Analysis (SEA) form that commences an investigation process to establish what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements.
All significant events are reviewed and discussed in several meetings each month. Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.
b. Infection prevention audit and actions
Ashford Medical Partnership carry out weekly infection control audits of each site.
Annually Ashford Medical Partnership have an external IPC audit.
c. Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised to be as low as reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment which can identify best practice can be established and then followed.
This list of risk assessments is not exhaustive;
- General IPC risks
- Staffing, new joiners and ongoing training
- COSHH
- Cleaning standards
- Curtain cleaning or changes
- Staff vaccinations
- Sharps
- Water safety
d. Training
In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Ashford Medical Partnership all staff and contractors receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually.
e. Policies and procedures
The infection prevention and control related policies and procedures which have been written, updated or reviewed in the last year include, but are not limited, to:
- Red Zone
- Red Zone home visiting
- Infection control policy
Policies relating to infection prevention and control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually. Additionally, all policies are amended on an ongoing basis as per current advice, guidance and legislation changes.
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of all staff members at Ashford Medical Partnership to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.
Review
The IPC Lead Dr Wong and Áine Quigley Lead practice nurse are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.
This annual statement will be updated on or before 13/07/2024
Signed by
Áine Quigley
For and on behalf of Ashford Medical Partnership