annual statement on infection prevention and control

2012

There were no known infection transmission events in 2012 (nor, indeed, have there been any in previous years).

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 3rd March 2012, 2nd June 2012, 8th September 2012 and 15th December 2012.  These audits were conducted using the standard audit pro-forma produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a direct result of these audits, the following actions/improvements were taken/made:

• Clinical staff who had not already done so provided documentary evidence of their current Hepatitis B immunity.
• Sharps container labels are now fully completed.
• All remaining instruments that were not capable of local sterilisation (mixing spatulas & wax knives) were replaced with autoclaveable versions.
• All sterilisable instruments are now wrapped following sterilisation and marked with a use-by date.
• A system has been introduced so that surgery personnel check on a daily basis that all sterilisable instruments are “in-date” and logs are kept of this.
• A system has been introduced whereby the Practice Director makes monthly checks to ensure that the daily logs are complete/correct and a double-check is made of all bagged instruments at the same time.
• The hand-held magnifiers that were previously used for checking instrument decontamination have been replaced with wall-mounted illuminated magnifiers.
• Logs of ultrasonic bath testing are now kept to show that the baths are subjected to regular Browns tests (cleaning efficacy) and ultrasonic activity checks.
• Autoclave cycle testing has been automated with the installation of data-loggers and a system implemented to ensure that the data are checked regularly.
• A new system has been implemented for the transfer of clean and dirty instruments between different practice areas.
• The surgeries have been redecorated.
• The remaining soft toys have been removed from the practice.
• Ventilation systems are now checked and the grilles cleaned every week (this had previously been done on an annual basis).
• We now ensure that face masks used in the surgeries are discarded after every appointment.
• We now keep evidence to show we have checked that our waste contractors are registered with the Environment Agency and this is re-checked annually.
• All waste produced in the surgeries (with the exception of “special” wastes such as amalgam, out-of-date drugs, sharps, etc) is now classified as potenitially hazardous and disposed of in orange waste sacks.
• We have carried out a more thorough waste pre-acceptance audit and have allocated appropriate EWC codes to ALL waste types – including paper & card for recycling, batteries, gypsum, etc.

The practice legionella risk assessment is due to be repeated in 2013.

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was updated on 25th January 2012, 18th February 2012 and 19th December 2012.

Team members were given training in aspects of infection control on 13th June 2012 (Becky), 15th December 2012 (Lauren), 4th March/30th April/1st May 2012 (Jo).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed and updated on 26th January 2012 and 17th December 2012.

2013

There were no known infection transmission events in 2013 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 14th March 2013 and 14th September 2013.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• The coverings on the dental chairs were repaired.
• Single use sterile water was introduced for surgical procedures.
• Part of the flooring was replaced in both surgeries.
• A list of duties was prepared for the practice manager with specific reference to equipment validation.
• The mechanical ventilation apparatus in the clinical areas was modified to ensure better air flow from “clean” to “dirty” areas.

The practice legionella risk assessment was repeated and updated.  It is due to be repeated again in 2015.

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was updated on23rd February, 9th March, 20th March and 23rd May 2013.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 11th March, 21st March and 7th May (Neil); 30th May (Louise); 18th March, 10th April, 27th June and 6th July (Debbie); January-July (Lauren – as part of her NEBDN training course); 11th March, 21st March and 3rd November (Jo).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed and updated on 10th January, 11th January, 13th March, 23rd May and 8th November 2013.

2014

There were no known infection transmission events in 2014 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 22nd March 2014 and 20th September 2014.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• The computer keyboards in the surgeries were upgraded to fully waterproof, wipe-down clinical versions (previously standard keyboards with removable covers were used).
• The computer mice in the surgeries were upgraded to fully waterproof, wipe-down clinical versions (previously standard mice with removable covers were used).
• The walls and ceiling in both surgeries were repainted.
• The lead connecting the foot controls to the delivery unit in surgery 1 was replaced (it had been damaged).
• The interiors of the bin cupboards in each surgery were re-covered with a special spray coating (they had begun to look worn/discoloured).
• The capsule mixer controls were repaired (they had begun to wear through making them difficult to clean).
• The enamel on the decontamination sinks was repaired.
• The blue metal wall cabinets were removed since they were beginning to rust.
• A new system for segregating and disposing of waste was devised and implemented (using both orange and “Tiger” bags – previously all waste was consigned as hazardous waste in orange bags).

The practice legionella risk assessment is due to be repeated in 2015 (at the time of writing it has already been done).

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was updated on20th February, 17th May, 25th June and 18th July 2014.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 7th and 13th November (Neil); 13th & 20th June and 19th December (Debbie); 20th June & 18th December (Lauren); 16th & 20th April and 7th November (Jo).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed and updated on 20th June 2014 and 28th November 2014 (re: waste disposal procedures; see above).

2015

There were no known infection transmission events in 2015 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 14th May 2015 and 26th September 2015.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• The patient treatment chair in surgery 1 was re-upholstered
• The operators’ stools in surgery 1 were re-upholstered
• The patient treatment chair in surgery 2 was re-upholstered
• The operators’ stools in surgery 2 were re-upholstered
• The chair-mounted foot controls in surgery 1 were replaced
• The foot-hook on the movable foot control in surgery 1 was replaced
• The suction-tube holder in surgery 2 was replaced
• A new system was introduced for monitoring the quality of RO (Reverse Osmosis) water with a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter

The practice legionella risk assessment is up-to-date and is due to be repeated in 2017.

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was reviewed and updated on21st February, 26th February, 4th May and 5th June 2015.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 16th May (Neil); 5th June (Debbie); 5th June (Rachelle); 16th May (Jo).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed and updated on 21st February and 5th June 2015.

2016

There were no known infection transmission events in 2016 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 3rd March 2016 and 10th September 2016.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• The decontamination sinks (basins) in surgeries 1 and 2 were re-surfaced
• The walls behind the ultrasonic baths in surgeries 1 and 2 were covered with perspex to protect them from damage and the allow easier/more hygienic cleaning of splashes
• Paper towel dispensers were installed closer to each of the hand-hygiene stations in surgeries 1 and 2

The practice legionella risk assessment is up-to-date and is due to be repeated in 2017 (at the time of writing this has already been done).

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was reviewed and updated on19th February and 4th August 2016.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 6th February and 29th July (Debbie and Rachelle); 9th August and 20th November (Jo).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed and updated on 5th August 2016.

2017

There were no known infection transmission events in 2017 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 6th March 2017 and 13th August 2017.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• A new electric motor outlet was fitted to the dental unit in surgery 1.
• The rubber “boots” on the foot controls for the dental unit in surgery 1 were replaced.
• A screw fitting on the footplate of the dental chair in surgery 1 was replaced.
• The plastic cover from the end of the x-ray counterbalance arm in surgery 1 was replaced.

The practice legionella risk assessment is up-to-date and is due to be repeated in 2019.

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was reviewed and updated on4th February and 30th August 2017.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 24th February 2017 (Debbie, Jo and Rachelle), 4th August 2017 (Debbie) and 2nd September 2017 (Jo and Rachelle).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed on 1st September 2017.

2018

There were no known infection transmission events in 2018 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 24th February 2018 and 15th August 2018.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• New wall-mounted sharps bins were introduced next to the operator in each surgery, allowing them to dispose of single-use sharps themselves without relying on their nurse, eliminating double-handling of disposable sharps.
• Our inoculation injuries procedure was put on display – a laminated copy was put on display next to the wall-mounted sharps bin in each surgery.

The practice legionella risk assessment is up-to-date and is due to be repeated in 2019.

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was reviewed and updated on 19th April, 19th August, 5th November and 11th November 2018.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 23rd January 2018 (Rachelle); 30th May 2018 (Rachelle); 18th June 2018 (Debbie), 7th August 2018 ( Rachelle), 12th August 2018 (Rachelle), 14th December 2018 (Rachelle), 15th December 2018 (Jo and Debbie).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed on 23rd July and 11th November 2018.

2019

There were no known infection transmission events in 2019 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 23rd February 2019 and 16th August 2019.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• We had planned to make repairs to minor cracking in the wall covering in surgery 2 but this was not carried out since we were let down by the contractor we had engaged to carry out the work.  This is still to be addressed since the work has been further delayed as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.

The practice legionella risk assessment is up-to-date.

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was reviewed and updated on 3rd April and 14th August 2019.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 4th March 2019 (Neil and Jo), 5th March 2019 (Neil), 6th March (Neil and Rachelle), 8th March 2019 (Rachelle), 10th March (Neil and Jo), 11th March 2019 (Louise), 15th March 2019 (Debbie), 27th March 2019 (Rachelle), 3rd June 2019 (Neil), 5th June 2019 (Jo and Rachelle), 21st June 2019 (Debbie), 15th July 2019 (Louise), 5th September 2019 (Jo), 7th December 2019 (Jo).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed on 9th November 2019.

2020

There were no known infection transmission events in 2020 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Audits of infection control procedures were carried out on 28th February 2020 and 19th August 2020.  These audits were carried out using the standard infection control audit produced by the Infection Prevention Society.  As a result of these audits, the following actions were taken/improvements made:

• We had planned to make repairs to minor cracking in the wall covering in surgery 2 but this was not carried out since we were let down by the contractor we had engaged to carry out the work.  This is still to be addressed since the work has been further delayed as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Also, improvements to infection control were made as a result of COVID-19 (the items listed are changes to SICPs and so will become permanent changes, not the temporary TBPs introduced specifically to address the risk of COVID-19 transmission):

• New mechanical ventilation systems were installed in both surgeries and in reception.  These achieve over 10ACH in each surgery and over 6ACH in reception.  The systems are subject to weekly testing / validation using a digital anemometer.
• The high volume aspiration systems that we were already using have been to shown to be a highly effective means of mitigating the risk from airborne contamination.  In order to ensure that they are effective, we have introduced a system of weekly testing / validation with a suction flow meter.

The practice legionella risk assessment is up-to-date.

The practice general risk assessment (which includes matters relating to infection prevention and control) was reviewed and updated on 6th August 2020.

Team members undertook training in aspects of infection control on 23rd April (Debbie), 22nd May 2020 (Debbie), 2nd June 2020 (Neil & Jo), 9th June 2020 (Debbie), 16th June 2020 (Jo, Louise, Amy), 19th June 2020 (Debbie), 12th September 2020 (Louise), 23rd September 2020 (Jo), 25th September 2020 (Jo and Louise), 30th September 2020 (Jo), 5th October 2020 (Jo), 7th October 2020 (Louise & Rachelle), 13th October 2020 (Rachelle).

The practice infection control policy and procedures were reviewed on 12th August 2020.

2021

There were no known infection transmission events in 2021 and nor have there been any in previous years.

Previous web versions: 16.3.2013; 18.6.2014; 6.6.2015; 30.7.2016 (reviewed 1.9.2017); 2.9.2017; 29.9.2018 (reviewed 11.11.2018); 28.9.2019 (reviewed 9.11.2019; 12.8.2020); 16.9.2020; 30.9.2021; 26.10.1022

Appointment Form