It is a requirement of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance that the Infection Prevention and Control Lead or the Registered Manager produces an annual statement with regard to compliance with good practice on infection prevention and control and makes it available for anyone who wishes to see it, including patients and regulatory authorities. The Annual Statement should provide a short review of any:

• known infection transmission event and actions arising from this
• audits undertaken and subsequent actions
• risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
• training received by staff
• review and update of policies, procedures and guidance.

Infection Control Annual Statement Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in August in accordance with the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. It summarises:

• Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure
• Details of any infection control audits undertaken and actions undertaken
• Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
• Details of staff training
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead

Monks Brook Dental has a Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Aymie Smith - Lead Dental Nurse

Bembridge Dental has a Lead for Infection Prevention and Control: Kelly Winter – Lead Dental Nurse

The IPC Leads are under the direction of Vanessa Pirga, the Registered Manager.

All keep their training in regards to infection control maintained throughout the year.

Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events).

Significant events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events will be reviewed with all staff. As a result of these events, we:

• Ensured Infection Control Guidance remains accessible to all staff.
• Will carry out a regular infection control audit on all clinical areas & staff, following the National Standards of cleanliness recommendations for PPE audits, staff knowledge, technical and efficacy audits, despite not being essential to do so. We believe that the high standards of cleanliness associated with the NSC are essential in dental practice.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The most recent Infection Prevention and Control audit in both practices has been completed by the infection control leads. The practices have conducted their bi-annual IPS audit to ensure infection control measures are adhered to by practice staff. At this stage, no action is required.

Training 

All our staff receive annual training in infection prevention and control. Information is then disseminated to the clinical and non-clinical team within staff meetings or via the monthly update, whichever is deemed more appropriate. The team either attends an annual Infection Control Update or completes an annual e-learning update. The team can self-identify training due through the display of the training matrix in the changing room.

Policies 

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are in date for this year and have been updated to reflect changes in procedures in relation to the national standards of cleanliness. These have been distributed in an update, are available on staffology for all to view and sign.

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually, and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes.

Infection Control policies are circulated amongst staff for reading and discussed at meetings on an annual basis.

Recent changes

The Practices have changed methods for storing burs, allowing for more efficient surgery workflow and preventing loose burs from entering the surgery drawers.

All staff have completed training in relation to Covid-19, PPE and cross infection control and will continue to do so as and when updates are required.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.

Responsibility for Review

The Registered Manager is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement.