Buffing-up the hospital's good cleaning record
Housekeeping staff have praised a new cleaning system which sees even better results and strengthens work to reduce Healthcare Acquired Infections.
Two teams at West Suffolk Hospital tried out microfibre cloths and mops for seven months and found them even more effective at picking up dirt than their usual cleaning equipment. They are also lighter, meaning that cleaners do not have to heft the heavier water-filled buckets, and no other detergents have to be used with them.
The new system cost £33,000 and is part of a package of measures, spearheaded by the hospital's Infection Control Team, in efforts to further reduce HAI's.
Tracey Robertson, acting supervisor, who has worked in the hospital for 24 years, is convinced the hospital will be a cleaner place as a result.
"I take a great deal of pride in what I do, as do all the housekeepers," she says. "This system makes floors, windows, stainless steel surfaces, such as taps - everything - that much cleaner and shinier. It makes it look beautiful.
"I don't have to use so much descaler on the taps; the new equipment washes windows without leaving smears, which we would have previously had to wipe away. Everyone who has used it really loves it.
"From a health and safety point of view, it is better all-round for everybody too, stopping us having to push around our old, long trolleys or wring out heavy wet mops."
Tracey says that this system was purchased for everyday use. More thorough cleaning, which sees even the curtain rings disinfected, takes place once staff are alerted to an MRSA bacteraemia or Clostridium Difficile case in a ward.
"We work very closely with Infection Control, which means we know exactly how important it is to clean an area even more thoroughly when asked to. We have better communication and we feel very much part of team helping to reduce infection," she says. "I have had no fears in asking doctors if they have washed their hands when leaving a ward. It's important to challenge everyone.
"So often the cleaners get blamed for HAI's, but these diseases, like diarrhoea and vomiting and MRSA, are often brought in by visitors. That does upset me. If people just thought to wash their hands properly and use the hand gel provided - which is now everywhere - it would help to cut down on the spread of these infections."
Dr Caroline Barker, infection control doctor for West Suffolk Hospital, says: "We have seen a reduction in the number of HAI's here and we are intent on seeing a further reduction. Methods, such as the microfibre system, can only help us in our efforts."
The hospital announced in February it was successful in its bid for £300,000 to further reduce the incidence of HAI's. The money was provided by the NHS East of England from a budget set aside for infection control projects.
It has also paid for £100,000 for antimicrobial coated curtains for all ward areas to offer additional protection and £28,000 for creating a designated equipment washing area with additional equipment such as steam cleaners, washing machines and dryers, as well as an extra stock of frequently-used items such as commodes and drip stands. A further £50,000 paid for more hand washing basins on the wards, ward entrances, improved signage and sensor activated (wave on) taps to all ward taps - hand-washing is the single most effective way to reduce the numbers of HAI's.
The Infection Control Team investigates and manages outbreaks of infectious disease, investigates infection-associated clinical incidents, and performs HAI risk assessments throughout the trust. Another important part of their work is carrying out infection control audits and members work closely with the facilities directorate on matters such as cleaning, decontamination of equipment, refurbishment and building works.
25th October 2007