Infection control policy

Introduction

This document sets out the Practice policy on Infection Control and should be used with reference to the principles outlined in the Biological Substances Infection Control Policy, the Infection Control Inspection Checklist, the Sample Handling Policy, the Handwashing and Hygiene Policy and the Handwashing Technique Guide.

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 maintain the premises, equipment, drugs, and procedures to the standards detailed within the Infection Control Inspection Checklist and will 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 minimize risk of infection.

Proposals for the Management of Infection Risk

• The clinician responsible for Infection Control is Laura Cameron.
• The non-clinician responsible for Infection Control is Ella Bailey.
• The staff member responsible for Infection Control is Lisa Philpott.
• The lead cleaner responsible for Infection Control is NHS Property Services.

Laura Cameron will be responsible for the maintenance of personal protective equipment and the provision of personal cleaning supplies within clinical areas

Ella Bailey will be responsible for the maintenance of the provision of personal cleaning supplies within non-clinical areas

Laura Cameron will be responsible for the maintenance of sterile equipment and supplies, and for ensuring that all items remain “in date” 

A daily, weekly, monthly, and six-monthly cleaning specification will apply and will be followed by the cleaning staff in accordance with the service level agreement in place between NHS Property Services and Dr Baxter and Partners.

Staff training requirements

• Infection Control training will take place for all staff on an annual basis and will include training on hand decontamination, handwashing procedures, sterilisation procedures, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the safe use and disposal of sharps.
• Infection Control Training will take places for all new recruits within four weeks of start.
• E-Learning modules on Infection Control can be undertaken at Home – elearning for healthcare

Contact Details of the Local IPC Specialist Team

• UKHSA East of England Health Protection Team, Suite 1 First Floor Nexus, Harlow Innovation Park, London Road, Harlow, CM17 9TX
• [email protected]
• Telephone: 0300 303 8537
• Out of hours advice for health professionals: 0300 303 8537

Never send personally identifiable information (PII) in the subject line of an email. Encrypt any PII you send by email. If you are using an NHS.net address, email [email protected]

• Local specialist contact at the ICB is by email at [email protected]

Specific requirements for high risk procedures – Minor surgery and Contraceptive devices

As a result of complex care increasingly being delivered in primary care settings, standards for the care of patients and the management of devices to prevent related infections are needed that will also reinforce the principles of asepsis. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of practice on the prevention and control of infection and related guidance assumes that all providers of healthcare in primary care settings are compliant with this code. The guideline aims to help to build on advice given in the code and elsewhere to improve the quality of care and practice in these areas over and above current standards. At Shefford Health Centre, the high-risk procedures include:

• Therapeutic injections used in a variety of conditions such as:
  • Injections into joints (steroids)
  • Aspiration of joints
  • Injection of tennis and golfer’s elbow, or carpal tunnel injection

• Fitting of contraceptive devices
• Excisions
• Incisions
• Other procedures which the practice is deemed competent to carry out – eg insertion and removal of contraceptive implants

In conjunction with NICE guidance CG139, the areas as detailed within the primary care HCAI pathway and the appropriate infection control measures are to be robustly adhered to. These areas are:

• Availability of equipment
• Hand decontamination
• Personal protective equipment
• Waste disposal
• Safe use and disposal of sharps

Equipment and rooms

At Shefford Health Centre, the dedicated treatment room is the Minor Ops room which is to be used wherever possible for invasive procedures. However, should this not be available, then a normal consultation room can be used if there is adequate lighting and space. Any medical equipment should be fit for purpose, be of adequate specification, single use and disposable wherever possible. Should there be any uncertainty about the adequacy of equipment, the Clinical Governance team at BLMK ICB will be able to provide advice and guidance.

Minor Surgery Compliance

When undertaking minor surgery, the table below is a check-off guide to ensure that this organisation remains compliant when undertaking surgical procedures:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Please see the Personal Protective Equipment Policy available on the Shared Drive under Surgery Shares or available here PPE.

Cleaning schedules

Each staff member is responsible for cleaning their own clinical equipment, workstations, trolleys, and couches as per guidelines. They must ensure their cleaning schedule is signed when the room is in use to ensure standards of cleanliness are maintained.

The practice uses single use medical devices.  Staff must not reuse a single use medical device under any circumstances, and these must be disposed of in the correct manner. Any equipment that is not single use is cleaned appropriately and evidenced on the cleaning schedule.

Please see the cleaning schedule excel spreadsheet (available on Surgery shares under Infection Control tab) that gives staff direction on what items need to be cleaned. To follow this, please see the ‘Safe management of the care environment’ available here Safe management of the care environment.

Download the Infection Control Policy.