The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) today (Monday) published its report relating to an inspection visit to Perth Royal Infirmary, NHS Tayside on 19 and 20 May 2010.
HEI has been set up to help reduce healthcare associated infection risk to patients through a rigorous inspection framework. The HEI inspection team examined NHS Tayside self-assessment information and then inspected the hospital to validate this information, meet patients and staff, and visit wards and departments.
During the visits, the inspection team also assessed the hospital’s physical environment for issues related to healthcare associated infection. The findings from the visit are set out below, which resulted in no requirements (which are linked to compliance with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland healthcare associated infection standards), but seven recommendations for improvement.
The full HEI inspection report and an improvement action plan developed by NHS Tayside to address the identified issues are available to view at http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/7436.html.
Speaking of the report, Susan Brimelow, HEI Chief Inspector, said: “The Inspection team observed that Perth Royal Infirmary was clean, in a good state of repair, that staff understood the surveillance data regarding healthcare associated infection, and that there were good lines of communication between the infection control team and other hospital staff. However the Inspection team also identified a number of areas for improvement including the need to ensure all standard infection control procedures are followed at all times, that a uniform approach to cleaning schedules and records should be developed and that dress codes are more effectively enforced.
The report identifies seven recommendations for improvement which have been agreed by senior staff at NHS Tayside and we fully expect these will be addressed and the necessary improvements made as a matter of priority.”
Recommendations
- It is recommended that NHS Tayside develops a more consistent approach to closing audit cycles.
- It is recommended that NHS Tayside ensures all wards and departments follow guidance relating to standard infection control procedures.
- It is recommended that NHS Tayside delivers a consistent message to all staff regarding the application of the staff dress code.
- It is recommended that NHS Tayside:
• reviews the sinks and taps in place throughout the hospital
• undertakes a risk assessment of the continued installation of non-compliant taps and,
• ensures compliant sinks and taps are installed when new facilities are needed. - It is recommended that NHS Tayside develops a single, comprehensive cleaning schedule to ensure consistent cleaning throughout Perth Royal Infirmary.
- It is recommended that NHS Tayside ensures the six core leaflets from Health Protection Scotland are available on all wards and a schedule for updating and changing these is implemented.
- It is recommended that NHS Tayside develops more public friendly guidance on hand washing and that this is displayed next to hand gels and soaps.
Notes to Editors
The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) was established in April 2009 to undertake announced and unannounced inspections to each acute hospital in NHSScotland at least once every 3 years.
The HEI focus is to reduce the healthcare associated infection risk to patients through a rigorous inspection framework. Specifically HEI focus on: providing assurance to the public, NHS boards, and the Scottish Government that patients are as safe as possible from HAIs and their consequences; HAI standards in NHS acute hospitals are high; and any HAI issues are being tackled, and improving infection prevention measures across NHSScotland through an inspection framework, leading to a decrease in HAIs and their consequences over time.
Each inspection is led by an experienced inspector, and supported by a small team which includes a volunteer inspector to make sure members of the public are involved in the work of the Inspectorate.
Further information about HEI, its inspection visits, and methodology and audit tools used can be found at http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/6710.140.1366.html.
All requirements in this report are linked to compliance with national Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Standards – published in March 2008 by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
HEI is a key component of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, a Special Health Board that advises, supports and assesses NHS boards to help improve the quality of healthcare.
All media enquiries should be directed to: Ken Miller, Head of Communications, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland on 07812 731 362.
