Castle Medical Group Practice remains committed to the prevention of healthcare-associated infection and that patient safety is the utmost priority. Good management and organisational processes are crucial to ensure that high standards of infection prevention (including cleanliness) are maintained.
The practice will provide guidance, training and support to help those to whom it applies understand their rights and responsibilities under the Infection Control Policy. Additional support will be provided to managers and supervisors to enable them to deal more effectively with matters arising from this policy.
Good Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is essential to ensure that people who use primary care services receive safe and effective care. Castle Medical Group Practice is committed to providing effective (IPC) procedures to minimise the risk of infection and to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff alike.
The practice aims to design and implement policies and procedures that meet the diverse needs of our service and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Consideration has been given to the impact this policy might have in regard to the individual protected characteristics of those to whom it applies.
- Policy Incorporation
- Our Infection Control Policy incorporates the following protocols:
- Infection Control Biological Substances Protocol
- Infection Control Inspection Checklist
- Clinical Waste Management Protocol
- Disposable (Single-Use) Instruments Protocol
- Needle-Stick Injuries Protocol
- Safe use and disposal of sharps
- Sample Handling Protocol
- Sterilisation and Decontamination Protocol
- Isolation of Patients Protocol
- Notifiable diseases
- Toys in reception / waiting areas
- Staff exclusion from work
Castle Medical Group Practice ensures compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice criteria, which are:
- Systems to manage and monitor the prevention and control of infection
- Provide and maintain a clean and appropriate environment in managed premises which facilitates the prevention and control of infections
- Ensure appropriate antimicrobial use to optimise patient outcomes and to reduce the risk of adverse events and antimicrobial resistance
- Provide suitable, accurate information on infections to service users, their visitors and any person concerned with providing further support or nursing/medical care in a timely fashion
- Ensure prompt identification of people who have, or are at risk of developing, an infection so that they receive timely and appropriate treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting infection to other people
- Systems to ensure that all care workers (including contractors and volunteers) are aware of and discharge their responsibilities in the process of preventing and controlling infection
- Provide or secure adequate isolation facilities
- Secure adequate access to laboratory support as appropriate
- Have and adhere to policies that are designed for the individual’s care and provider organisations that will help to prevent and control infections
- Providers have a system in place to manage the occupational health needs and obligations of staff in relation to infection
[1] Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infection