INFECTION CONTROL

Introduction

This document sets out the surgery policy on infection control and should be used with reference to the principles outlined in the Infection Control (biological substances) Protocol and the Infection Control Inspection Checklist.

Policy Statement

This practice is committed to the control of infection within the building and in relation to the clinical procedures carried out within it.

The practice will undertake to maintain the premises, equipment, drugs and procedures to the standards detailed within the Checklist and will undertake to provide facilities and the financial resources to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce or remove all infection risk.

Wherever possible or practicable the practice will seek to use washable or disposable materials for items such as soft furnishings and consumables, e.g. seating materials, wall coverings including paint, bedding, couch rolls, modesty sheets, bed curtains, floor coverings, towels etc, and ensure that these are laundered, cleaned or changed frequently to minimise risk of infection.

Proposals for the Management of Infection Risk

The clinician responsible for Infection Control is Leigh Dewdney.

The non-clinician responsible for Infection Control is Matt Bell.

The Lead Health Care Assistant will be responsible for the maintenance of personal protective equipment and the provision of personal cleaning supplies within clinical areas.

The Operations Manager will be responsible for the maintenance of the provision of personal cleaning supplies within non-clinical areas

The Lead Practice Nurse will be responsible for the maintenance of sterile equipment and supplies, and for ensuring that all items remain “in date”

 The following general precautions will apply:

• A daily, weekly, monthly and 6 monthly cleaning specification will apply and will be followed by the cleaning staff.
• Infection Control training will take place for all staff on an annual basis and will include training on hand decontamination, hand washing procedures, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the safe use and disposal of sharps.
• Infection Control Training will take place for all new recruits as soon as possible after start date.
• Hand washing posters will be displayed at each designated hand basin.
• The practice will ensure that all staff have access to sufficient and appropriate supplies of materials for hand decontamination, PPE and sharps containers.
• A random and unannounced Inspection Control Inspection by the above named staff, using the Checklist, will take place on at least an annual basis and the findings will be reported to the partners’ meeting for (any) remedial action.
• The Practice will also seek to educate patients and carers regarding effective hand decontamination and hand washing techniques