Infection control is our top priority

Jul 4 2008 by Karen Wilson, The Journal

ONE thing that has not changed over the past 60 years is the need to keep our hospitals clean to fight infections. For the past six months, visitors to our hospitals have been met by a life-size model of matron Elaine Henderson reminding people to clean their hands as part of our infection control measures.

Members of the public have responded really well to this campaign and the hand gels are in now in constant use.

Elaine explained: “Hand hygiene is an important part of controlling infections in our hospitals. We all have a responsibility in helping to bring down infection rates, and we all have a role to play that includes our staff, patients and visitors to our hospitals.”

This is just one of a raft of measures introduced by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to fight infection throughout its 10 hospitals:

One of the first trusts in the country to screen all adult patients admitted to hospital by taking a nose and groin swab to detect whether any MRSA is present on the skin.

£105,000 invested in new technology and staff to help the ongoing drive to keep our hospitals clean. More than £27,500 spent on 25 hand-held computerised units which are used to carry out cleanliness inspections by the domestic supervisors and modern matrons. The trust is also adding a further six domestic staff to their team, bringing the total number to around 400.

A trial of probiotic drinks for patients to increase the good bacteria in their gut. Evidence is starting to emerge which suggests the use of probiotic drinks can help protect patients against clostridium difficile.

Highly visible signs with alcohol gel dispensers at the entrance to wards and departments and in some areas voice boxes with a large red hand beside the gel dispenser which flashes to attract peoples’ attention, reminding patients and visitors to clean their hands.

A new antibiotic prescribing policy which restricts the use of certain antibiotics that can make people more susceptible to infection.

An infection control course, believed to be the first of its kind, aimed at improving patient care by developing infection control skills, knowledge and practices for healthcare workers, whether they work in the NHS, council or privately-run settings.

We all have a responsibility in helping to bring down infection rates, and we all have a role to play