Infection control is a top priority
INFECTION control is a priority for Northumbria Healthcare and Annaluisa Wood, matron at Berwick Infirmary, ensures the community hospitals have high standards of cleanliness.
Annaluisa said: “Part of my role is to raise awareness of the importance of infection control and hand hygiene in our community hospitals, so it's really encouraging to see patients and visitors using the alcohol gels.
“I'm also pleased to see my colleagues ensuring our hospitals are always spotlessly clean.”
The Trust has policies in place to ensure ward staff lead the way on hygiene, such as bare arms below the elbow, no wrist watches and only wedding rings.
Alcohol gel is available at all patient bedsides and at entrances to the hospitals.
All staff have regular infection control training and wards and departments are audited on hand hygiene weekly.
This has ensured that all of the Trust's community hospitals have scored excellent for cleanliness and hygiene in recent inspections by the National Patient Safety Agency.
