Practice Meeting 14/11/2024
Practice Meeting 14/11/2024- Summary
Present CN, ML, ZT, RS.
Nurses/ Clinical
- Cross infection review- can we all review our cross-infection policies (available on staff area of website and on the desktop of computers).
Just a couple of points- re. scanners (more about scanners coming up)- please process scanner tips as per protocol in decon, in the surgery, the stylus/wand needs to have a plastic cover on- please don’t touch laptop with dirty gloves.
No PPE out of surgery; this includes masks- it is ok to use clean glove to carry dirty box to and from decon.
Keep surgery worktops as clear as possible- there shouldn’t be any old models, equipment not being used etc. out on the sides.
- Orange Clinical waste bags- can we SQUEEZE SQUEEZE SQUEEZE!!- The bin seems to be getting full quicker at the mo.- we don’t really want to up the collection- I squeezed yesterday and made room for 4 more bags. In the dark or wet, put in the cellar as we used to, however we still need do end of day inventory check. Also, please don’t put non- clinical waste in the surgery bins e.g. packaging.
- End of day inventory check- please do after last patient has left- recent incident with x-rays in the washing machine. Please try not to put x-rays, instruments in your pockets.
- Start of day logs, end of day logs and inventory- please have up on the computer and read each day- make sure the information you are recording is accurate.
- Bins outside the surgery including the bathroom and kitchen bin, please don’t put PPE in- I have moved the one from near the xray machine for this reason.
- Digital models- if they come with pt’s name on – they must not go into the waste in as they are identifiable- please give models to the patient as they can dispose them or keep them- I have asked the lab to just use initials but doesn’t seem to be happening as yet ! Or make them anonymous- may need to scratch over the name. Also, please get into the habit of giving the patient their patient statement.
Scanners
- As we are now using the scanners regularly, just a few points. As prev. mentioned, please use scanner tip protocol for cleaning and do not use dirty gloves on the laptop.
We need to use the scanners as team. Now CN/ MC are a bit more used to using them- they will show the nurses what they need- CN/MC please use any white spaces to train your nurses.
Nurses need to be able to set up scanner ahead of a prep- I bit like you did the lab ticket. Also, CN/MC will be doing scans of all new patients- these can also be set up ahead of the appointment. There will also be scans taken if CN/MC want to show the patient something in their mouth.
CN/MC will show you how to set up the laptop and the scanner- please use the pt’s initials and year of birth as the reference – so I would be AL71 (god, I’m old !!).
When scanning, nurses be ready with 3-in 1 tip and mirror to retract or be ready at the laptop to move the image. CN/MC will tell you how best you can help. This will speed up the process, making it easier for the pt and stop them running late!
Reception
- New Fees for Jan 2025
EXAM - £58.00
HYG – £72.00 (making ex/hyg £130.00)
NEW PT EXAM £85.00
5% on all other fees which I will update nearer the time.
Denplan ESSENTIALS band B £50.00 saving
Denplan ESSENTIALS band C £44.00 saving
We need to put people that need /want 4 x hyg per year but are on Band B to move to Band C- we don’t really want them to pay for additional hyg appts- explain re. saving. Hygienists could you also explain this if possible. If they want additional hyg appts, they will have to pay the full £72.00 charge- no 15% discount will be applied.
- Patient archive- we discussed when do we archive patients. We decided we would make patients inactive after 4 years of non-attendance. If they return after this date, they would be a returning patient, so they get quoted the new patient fee (currently £80.00).
- NHS referrals- if a pt doesn’t need their NHS referral anymore i.e. ortho ref that decides to go private- please call the referral centre or email (with STK number) - I will put number/ email up at reception- or set a task for me to deal with.
- FTA’s still low but a few more last month- always send text reminders.
- There are a couple of extra SMS templates- as people seem to respond to texts well – please use in addition to voice mails -there is one that says, ‘please contact the practice regarding …….’ And one to ask the pt to contact re Short Notice Cancellations. There is also an SMS to send following a reappointment email- to draw the patient’s attention that they have had an appointment change. If there are tasks outstanding, please send an email.
- Notes on Exact - if someone not paying i.e forgot card- please put a note on as to why they didn’t pay and set task to follow up. If patient cancelling treatment and not remaking, please put a note with the reason- this helps Zoe with the FTR list.
- Tasks- please set to pt’s name, makes it easier/quicker to get to pt’s notes.
- Telephone payments- do not take payments larger than £130-00- there is a fraud risk of money being recalled. Any amounts larger than this need to be BACS transferred to the correct account.
- Wheelchair users- we have another couple of instances lately – if reception pick up that the patient attending is a wheelchair user- a new patient or as they are doing reminders- they must check they can transfer to the chair themselves or with the help of their carer. We cannot transfer patients to the chair.
CN/MC/LG will not refer pt’s to hyg that have these mobility issues. We can still see pt’s, including new patients, in their wheelchair to briefly assess their mouth as far as possible but this will only be to facilitate a referral into the NHS system- please explain this when booking.
- PANIC BUTTON on EXACT – we tested this today, it does send an instant message for someone to go to reception immediately. However, this may not be noticed if surgeries are busy. If on reception and a situation occurs that warrants it, please leave reception and get CN/MC or another member of staff immediately. If you are on the phone, apologise and hang up, you can call back when possible.
Don’t forget CPR training WEDNESDAY 27/11/2024 at 1-00pm.
CPD topic- there has not been much action lately- as discussed at the beginning-please all refresh yourselves with our Practice Policies and Procedures and there are lots of cross infection modules on Agilio. There is a module called ‘Infection Control Update’ that covers a lot of areas and many more !!
Thanks again for all your hard work and making Arundel a great place to work 😊
Mandy x