IPC Annual Statement Report
Highcliffe Medical Centre
23.10.2024
Purpose
Highcliffe Medical Centre is committed to the control of infection within the building and in relation to any clinical procedures carried out with in it. This annual statement will be generated each year in October, 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 carried out, 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 Highcliffe Medical Centre is Alexandra Harrison.
The IPC lead is supported by Operations Manager Sasha Venables.
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 in 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 which 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 at several meetings each month. Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.
In the past year, there have been no significant events raised which related to infection control. There have also been no patient complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.
b. Infection prevention audit and actions
At Highcliffe medical centre we ensure to complete a range of audits to ensure we are constantly upholding the highest quality of cleanliness and infection control measures are being met. In the last 12 months the following audits that have been completed:
- The annual Infection Prevention and Control audit was completed by Alexandra Harrison in January 2024 and September 2024.
- An audit on hand hygiene was undertaken by Alexandra Harrison in May 2024 where all available practice staff where audited, this included 100% of the clinical team.
- Privacy curtains were audited in March 2024 and August 2024 we will continue to be audit every 3 months.
- A clinical waste audit has been completed bimonthly throughout the last 12 months.
- A cold chain audit was completed in April 2024 to ensure vaccine are being stored correctly.
- Cleaning Standard Audits have been completed every 2 months by our cleaning contractors and the operations manager Sasha Venables- These are completed to ensure the standard of cleaning our contractors are providing meet the standards set out in the new NHS cleaning standards.
- Our latest CQC inspection was in August 2016 where the only area for improvement in regard to infection control was the use of shower trays in the nursing rooms for the cleaning of ulcers and wounds before applying dressings. We no longer use the shower facilities.
- Highcliffe Medical Centre plan to undertake the following audits in the next 12 months
- Annual infection control Audit
- Hand Hygiene Audit
- Privacy Curtain Audit
- 3 monthly Cleaning Audit
- Aseptic Technique Audit
- Clinical Waste Audit
- Cleaning standards Audit
c. Risk assessments
Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised and made to be as low as is reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment that can identify best practice can be established and then followed.
In the last year, the following risk assessments relating to infection control were carried out/reviewed:
- General IPC risks
- COSHH
- Privacy curtain cleaning or changes
- Sharps
- Water safety (legionella)
d. Training
In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Highcliffe Medical Centre all staff receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually. Staff are encouraged to raise any IPC concerns with the managers or the IPC lead.
e. Policies and procedures
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.
f. Responsibility
It is the responsibility of all staff members at Highcliffe Medical Centre to be familiar with this statement, and their roles and responsibilities under it.
g. Review
The IPC lead and the Operations Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.
This annual statement will be updated on or before 31st October every year.
Signed by S L Venables
Sasha Venables
For and on behalf of Highcliffe Medical Centre