Introduction
This document sets out the surgery policy on infection control and should be used with reference to the principles outlined in the Biological Substances Infection Control Protocol and the Practice’s Covid-19 Risk Assessment and Management Plan.
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 required by external regulatory bodies 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.
Principles for the Management of Infection Risk
The clinician responsible for Infection Control is the Infection Control Lead (GP Partner).
The non-clinician responsible for ensuring that staff are aware of and have access to guidance in relation to Infection Control is the Practice Manager.
The lead cleaner responsible for Infection Control is Ever Brite Cleaning Services Ltd.
The Practice is responsible for the maintenance of personal protective equipment and the provision of personal cleaning supplies within clinical areas.
The Practice is responsible for the maintenance of the provision of personal cleaning supplies within non-clinical areas.
The nursing team 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 and will include hand washing procedures. See Handwashing Policy and Procedure.
- Infection Control Training will take place for all new recruits as soon as possible after commencing. This training will be provided either by a member of the infection control team or online via the Blue Stream Academy Portal.
- Hand washing posters will be displayed at each designated hand basin. See Handwashing Policy and Procedure.
- The practice will comply with all requests for inspections by the Local Infection Prevention and Control Team and will publish an annual Infection Control statement on its website.
See also:
Biological Substances – Infection Control Protocol.
Downloadable Infection control policy.