‘Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a practical, evidence-based approach preventing patients and health workers from being harmed by avoidable infections.’ – WHO online 2023, Infection prevention and control GLOBAL (who.int)
‘All providers of health care and adult social care should meet or exceed the Health and Social Care Act 2008 code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ – CQC online 2023, GP mythbuster 99: Infection prevention and control in General Practice – Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk)
The key messages of the code according to CQC are:
- preventing and controlling infection ensuring people receive safe and effective care
- all staff must apply this as part of everyday practice
- high standards of infection prevention and cleanliness need good management and processes.
Guidance and Resources
GP IPC main page GP Practices – Infection Prevention Control
National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England NHS England » National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England
A-Z Pathogens National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: A-Z Pathogens (scot.nhs.uk)
One-stop-shop document for information, resources and ideas to encourage compliance with IPC measures. Every Action Counts
Fit testing Guidance HSE Fit testing
Hand Hygiene Hand Hygiene
Hand Hygiene Poster 5 moments HH poster
Full resource index IPC webpage Resources – Infection Prevention Control
National Standards
National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 NHS England » National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021
National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 for General Practice Cleaning standards for General practice
National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England NPS CLEANING SPECIFICATION
GP mythbuster 99: Infection prevention and control in General Practice CQC guidance for GP practices
Audit tools
Tools can be used as seen, or adapted to your surgery.
Hand Hygiene audit tool Hand hygiene Audit Tool (infectionpreventioncontrol.co.uk)
Aseptic technique audit tool Aseptic technique procedure Audit Tool for General Practice – Infection Prevention Control
Management of care environment audit tool Safe management of the care environment for Care Homes (infectionpreventioncontrol.co.uk)
Training
IPC training event 13/11/2023 Infection Prevention and Control training event for General Practice and Dental Practice – Infection Prevention Control
e-lfh IPC Training NHSE elfh Hub (e-lfh.org.uk)
High Risk IPC Areas
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
QUICK WATCH: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – What does it mean and why it matters – YouTube
SEPSIS
- Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs.
- Sepsis leads to shock, multiple organ failure and death especially if not recognized early and treated promptly.
- Sepsis remains the primary cause of death from infection despite advances in modern medicine, including vaccines, antibiotics, and acute care.
- Millions of people die of sepsis every year worldwide.
- Sepsis has a life changing impact on patients’ lives, and its important you understand the person you care for.
Posters / Leaflets for use in General Practice
IPC Lead Forum
If you’re the IPC lead for your surgery please press the below button for details on how to join the IPCL forum.
Leeds Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team aim to provide timely expert advice. We work in close partnership with Leeds City Council, NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the voluntary sector, and others.
Our annual programme of work supports clinicians in General Practice across Leeds to deliver Infection Prevention and Control standards, which are aligned to national policies and local priorities serving the population of Leeds.
This includes:
- Monitoring Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) trends and highlighting areas for IPC intervention.
- Monitoring and surveillance of outbreaks.
- Provision of expert clinical advice and support to staff and public to identify and manage infection incidents and outbreaks including, as appropriate, the facilitation of root cause analysis, clinical case reviews and / or post infection reviews.
- Auditing of IPC standards including environments and hand hygiene to an agreed criteria making recommendations for change, monitoring progress, and reporting to the Trust’s Quality and Safety Committee.
- Developing and delivering IPC education and training programmes.
- Supporting and developing IPC champions.
- Provision of expert IPC advice into the planning of new services, new builds, refurbishments projects and purchasing of new equipment.
Contacts Leeds
Catherine Harrison
IPCN lead for Extended Access (Leeds GP Confederation)
Infection Prevention and Control Team
Chapeltown Health Centre, Leeds, LS7 4BB
Telephone: 0113 8434511
Working hours: Monday – Friday 08:00-17:00, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 09:00-17:00
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust – About Infection Prevention and Control