Infection Control Annual Statement Report

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Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in accordance with the requirements in 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 actions taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our significant event procedure)
• Details of any infection control audits carried out and follow up actions
• Details of any risk assessments undertaken for the prevention and control of infection 
• Details of relevant 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 DMC is Katy Simpson, Lead Nurse.

The IPC lead is supported by Mohammed Pappu, Practice Manager.

a) Infection transmission incidents (significant events)

A significant event is any unintended or unexpected event, which could or did lead to harm of one or more patients. This includes incidents which did not cause harm but had the potential to or where the event should have been prevented.

The practice has a formal process for recording and investigating such events to identify any changes that could reduce the risk of it happening again.

All significant events are reviewed and discussed fortnightly at clinical and practice meetings. 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 two significant events raised that related to infection control (unavoidable vaccine fridge temperature breaches where no harm occurred). There have been no complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.

b) Infection prevention audit and actions

The practice has an audit programme in place.  An annual IPC audit was carried out by Katy Simpson in April 2024 and actions arising from the audit are being followed up by the practice.
In addition, the following audits are carried out regularly:

• Handwashing audits
• Vaccine management audits
• Sharps audits
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) audits
• Environmental cleaning audits
• Decontamination of equipment audits
• Premises cleanliness spot checks.

c) Risk assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any infection prevention and control risk is minimised to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors. 

In the last year, the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed:

• COSHH
• Covid-19
• Measles
• Legionella

d) Training

All staff and contractors receive infection prevention and control induction training on joining the team. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually.

e) Policies and procedures

Infection prevention and control policies are available to all staff and reviewed annually or sooner if there are any changes to national guidance or legislation. DMC has replaced its own infection prevention and control policy in the last year with the policies supplied by the South East London ICB Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse.

f) Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all staff members to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.

g) Review

The IPC lead and Practice Manager are responsible for reviewing and producing the annual statement.

This annual statement will be updated in or before April 2025 (when the next annual infection prevention and control audit is due). 

Written by Katy Simpson

Lead Nurse and Infection Prevention and Control Lead

DMC
13/09/2024