Infection Prevention Control Statement

1. Infection transmission incidents (Significant events)

Provide details of infection transmission incidents (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events), how they were investigated, any lessons learnt and changes made as a result to facilitate future improvements. 

The practice has developed an IPC issue log. Any IPC issues reported by staff are added to this list and dealt with accordingly. This means we can see any recurring issues/patterns and implement ways to improve. Our audit results also identify infection control risks.
Three main areas have been identified this year.

1. Incorrect disposal of contaminated waste. To improve in this area, required waste bins and labels have been allocated in every clinical room. Regular updates in staff meetings / emails have been implemented. No further issues have arisen since.
2. Incorrect disposal of sharps. To improve in this area, a training session has been given to all clinical staff on the safe use and correct disposal of sharps. A regular sharps audit is now in place. 
3. Recording of room/equipment cleaning. The audit showed that clinical staff were not evidencing that they had cleaned their equipment/room in line with our practice policy. This was discussed in the weekly MDT meetings and email reminders have been sent. Clinical staff are implementing the necessary cleaning but the importance of documenting this has been reiterated. The following Audit showed a marked improvement. 

2. IPC Audits and actions 

Provide an overview of IPC audit programme as well as examples of good practice and actions taken to address suboptimal compliance.

Audits regularly completed in the following areas: 

• Cold chain audit on a 3 monthly basis. No issues have been identified. 
• Fridge stock & Fridge cleaning completed on a monthly basis.  No issues have been identified.

General IPC checklist completed on a 3 monthly basis. Issues have been addressed such as:

• Cleaning cupboard audit completed on a 3 monthly basis. To address suboptimal compliance, we have arranged meetings with our cleaning company to improve within this area. 
• Sharps management completed on a 3 monthly basis. To address suboptimal compliance, we have ensured all required sharps box types are available in the surgery. We have also provided training to all clinical staff on the correct use of sharps and sharps boxes during TIPTOES session. This also included an update on our needlestick policy.  We are also implementing safer sharps within the practice to reduce the risk of needle stick injuries.
• General waste management completed on a 3 monthly basis. To address suboptimal compliance, we have ensured all required bin types are in all clinical rooms. Bins are now individually labelled with guidance on correct use of waste for each specific bin type.
• Hand hygiene audit completed on an annual basis for clinical staff. To address suboptimal compliance, we have implemented handwashing/hand gel posters and 5 moments of hand hygiene posters in every clinical room and toilets within the practice. Hand hygiene is discussed in MDT meetings on a regular basis.
• Uniform audit on an annual basis for clinical staff. Clinical uniforms provided by the practice. No issues have been identified.
• Don/doff PPE audit on an annual basis for clinical staff 

Results from audits are discussed in our weekly MDT meetings and other staff meetings.

Any changes implemented are reviewed on the following Audit cycle.

3. Risk Assessments 

Provide details of IPC related risk assessments carried out and actions taken to prevent and control infection.

Risk assessments are conducted to minimise infection prevention and control risks. It ensures a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Risk assessments conducted in the last year

1. COSHH – by cleaning company
2. Functional risk categories of rooms – by cleaning company
3. Immunisation status new clinical staff – by HR

4. Staff training 

Provide details of IPC induction training, annual updates and any other IPC related training.

All staff are IPC trained as they have completed the mandatory E-learning for Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control module online. Also, as part of TIPTOES, infection prevention control learning material has been disseminated. Clinical staff have taken part in sharps management and disposal education and carried out deep cleaning to all clinical rooms within the practice. Staff also have weekly reminders in MDT regarding IPC, including cleaning rooms, equipment, uniform adherence, waste disposal and hand washing. Audits have been completed which requires observing staff in practice and giving feedback relating to infection prevention control principles. This is a learning opportunity for improvement to IPC management for all clinical staff.

Resources: Sharps disposal colour chart in place; hand washing technique posters, appropriate use of PPE poster 

5. IPC Policies, procedures and guidance

Provide details of all policy reviews and updates, together with details of how changes have been implemented.

SPMG policies: All reviewed and updated through 2024 – 2025. Policies to be reviewed and updated annually to follow   National infection prevention and control manual for England guidelines.

• Accidental contamination and needlestick injury policy
• Decontamination Policy 
• Isolation Policy 
• Personal Protective equipment (PPE) Policy 
• Sharps Policy 
• Uniform Policy 
• Waste Disposal Policy 

Clinical staff refer directly to UK Health Security Agency and UKHSA health protection team with a notifiable infectious disease concern and follow local and national guidance. 

6. Antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship

Provide details of all activities undertaken to promote and improve antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship.

A member of clinical staff is allocated as the antimicrobial stewardship lead. They liaise with pharmacists and collect data relating to antimicrobial stewardship. Such as: ensuring antibiotics are prescribed in line with national guidance; appropriate use of antibiotics; correct prescription of Amoxicillin and monitoring antibiotics on repeat prescription. Regular searches for SPMG antibiotic prescribing are completed and this information is fed back to the clinical team through MDT meetings, to help ensure targets are met. 

Forward plan/Quality improvement plan review date: 05/12/2025

Next annual statement due: 05/06/2025