Hospitals told to improve hygiene

Staff practices in decontaminating and disinfecting patient equipment were of particular concern to observers from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

RQIA inspection teams highlighted similar problems at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald while the conditions at the Royal Victoria and Musgrave hospitals in Belfast were also flagged up during the series of unannounced visits over the last six months.

The report on the RVH in May prompted hospital bosses to close a neurosurgical ward for refurbishment.

The latest inspections were among eight carried out by the authority between May and September.

'Poor'

Reacting to the report findings Tony Stevens, Medical Director at the Belfast Trust, said:

"We would recognise that this report shows poor standards in a number of area and we are clearly not happy with that"

"We have already taken action to correct many of the faults or all those faults that our within our resource to fix," he added.

By comparison cleanliness standards at Antrim Area Hospital were found to be high, while Whiteabbey, South Tyrone and Erne hospitals also scored better than the Belfast facilities examined.

Though observers noted general clutter and lack of cleaning in certain areas of the children's hospital during their visit in August, concerns about staff hygiene were noted throughout.

"Staff practices were of concern in all areas, particularly the management of patient equipment, which includes decontamination and disinfection knowledge and practice," said the report.

"Low scores were noted in all areas, indicating that improvement is required."

In regard to the Ulster hospital, inspectors said:

"Of greatest concern were the findings relating to patient equipment, hand hygiene and clinical practice."

They said staff were observed not washing their hands at key points in care provision, including prior to clinical procedures and handling food.

'Not acceptable'

RQIA Chief Executive Glenn Houston said the hospitals that had not scored adequately in regard to hygiene needed to improve.

He said the trusts involved had subsequently drawn up detailed action plans outlining actions to address the issues.

"People who go into hospitals are entitled to expect a clean environment.

"RQIA's programme of unannounced hygiene inspections is aimed at helping tackle infection and improving the patient experience."

In the wake of the RQIA report's publication, Health minister Michael McGimpsey said its findings were "not acceptable ".

"I am determined to take whatever steps necessary to address it," the minister said.

He announced he was setting up a new team to drive up cleanliness standards in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

"Although the RQIA reports show areas of real improvement in hygiene and cleanliness, particularly in hospitals in the Northern and Western trusts, I am gravely concerned by the poor performance in some trusts.

"That is why I am establishing a new team whose primary aim is to drive up standards and rigorously monitor hygiene and cleanliness levels across all our healthcare facilities."