The most recent report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland was issued today and says that the Royal Hospital for Sick Children could do better.
The report follows an unannounced visit to the hospital on 2 and 3 December when the inspectors found a number of areas for improvement.
Although they found the wards and departments generally clean they say that systems must be put in place for compliance with standard infection control precautions.
Some of this seems as ever to be common sense precautions. In one area of the hospital where nursing staff were caring for patients who all had the same infection, staff were not wearing face masks or filtering face piece respirators. Apparently no risk assessment had been carried out.
Another recommendation is that all high visibility vests worn by staff when handing out medicine should be laundered by the hospital. Some staff had said that they took them home to wash.
In another area inspectors spotted some PVC splints which were drying after being washed with soap and water, presumably to be re-used. The inspectors were adamant in their report that the hospital must ensure that all equipment is both appropriate and clean.
Speaking of the report, Jacqui Macrae, Head of Quality of Care for Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “In this inspection we found that the wards and departments were generally clean, however we have also identified a number of areas that need to be addressed. NHS Lothian must ensure compliance with infection prevention and control policies, implement improvement action plans and ensure all equipment used in the care environment is clean. This inspection resulted in five requirements and two recommendations which we expect NHS Lothian to address as a matter of priority. We will continue to inspect the Royal Hospital for Sick Children to ensure improvements are made.”
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