- Dentist
E14 Dental Centre
Report from 16 October 2024 assessment
Contents
On this page
- Overview
- Learning culture
- Safe systems, pathways and transitions
- Safeguarding
- Involving people to manage risks
- Safe environments
- Safe and effective staffing
- Infection prevention and control
- Medicines optimisation
Safe
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.
Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.
Learning culture
The judgement for Learning culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Safe systems, pathways and transitions
The judgement for Safe systems, pathways and transitions is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Safeguarding
The judgement for Safeguarding is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Involving people to manage risks
The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.
Safe environments
Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff we spoke with told us that equipment and instruments were well maintained and readily available. The provider described the processes they had in place to identify and manage risks.
Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. The premises were clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. Fire exits were clear and well signposted, and fire safety equipment was serviced and well maintained.
The practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. The practice ensured the facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. A fire safety risk assessment was carried out in 2017. The provider told us that a new risk assessment was scheduled to be carried out. Regular fire safety checks and evacuation drills were carried out line with the legal requirements. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment, and the required radiation protection information was available. Improvements were needed to the arrangements for assessing and minimising the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health. Records were incomplete and not arranged so that they could be easily accessed. The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety, and lone working. Improvements were needed so that all staff had an awareness of sepsis, signs and symptoms and the practice management procedures. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Improvements were needed so that prescriptions were monitored to minimise the risk of misuse.
Safe and effective staffing
Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. Staff told us that there were sufficient staffing levels. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. They told us they worked well as a team and were happy and proud to work in the practice. Staff discussed their training needs during appraisals, and practice team meetings. The majority of we spoke with demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Improvements were needed so that the reception staff had an understanding of their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff, including for agency or locum staff. These reflected the relevant legislation. Improvements were needed to the systems for ensuring that all relevant records in relation to employments checks were available. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. Newly appointed staff had a structured induction, and clinical staff completed continuing professional development required for their registration with the General Dental Council. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. Improvements were needed to the systems for monitoring staff training and ensuring that staff completed periodic training updates. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities.
Infection prevention and control
The practice appeared clean and there was an effective schedule in place to ensure it was kept clean. Staff followed infection control principles, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely. We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance.
The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance and the equipment in use was maintained and serviced. Staff demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes, and they followed the practice policies when cleaning and decontaminating dental instruments. We saw single use items were not reprocessed. Staff had recently completed appropriate training, and the practice completed infection prevention and control (IPC) audits in line with current guidance. The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. The practice had policies and procedures in place to ensure clinical waste was segregated and stored appropriately in line with guidance.
Medicines optimisation
The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.