Inspectors have called for further improvements at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital although most wards and clinical areas were found to be clean.
The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate report – published today – highlighted a number of areas of infection control where improvements were required. These include:
* Having a designated healthcare associated infection (HAI) education lead to oversee HAI education and training
* Fully implementing the sharps management policy for disposal of used needles
* Having a robust risk management system in the acute receiving admissions unit, with appropriate numbers of sinks, bed spacing and isolation practices
* Reviewing the risk assessment for activities in ward 11
However, the inspectors also noted that senior charge nurses had taken ownership of their ward environment to ensure cleaning standards were acceptable.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
“I set up the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate to drive up standards in Scotland’s hospitals by putting them under unprecedented levels of scrutiny.
“Disappointingly, this report highlights that some improvements required after the last inspection have yet to be fully implemented. The inspectors have also called for further improvements following the most recent inspection.
“NHS Lothian have already put in place an action plan to address the issues raised and I expect these to be tackled as a matter of urgency. The inspectorate will continue to monitor progress to ensure that the required standards are being achieved.”
The unannounced inspection at the Western General Hospital took place on January 24
