What we are doing
Reducing infections is one of our top priorities. Here is some information about what we are doing to help reduce infections at Northwick Park, St Mark’s and Central Middlesex hospitals.
Hand washing: Staff receive regular training and we carry out weekly audits of hand washing compliance in all our wards and departments. Every member of staff has been informed that rigorous hand hygiene must be applied.
Mystery shoppers: Our patient representatives are conducting anonymous spot checks of hand washing and cleanliness on the wards of our hospitals.
Alcohol gels: There are alcohol hand gel stations in the main public areas of our hospitals. There are also dispensers on wards, entrances to bays and at the end of each patient bed.
Screening: All emergency patients admitted to hospital are screened for MRSA and all elective patients listed in the Department of Health guidelines are screened prior to admission.
Modern matrons: Our modern matrons are responsible for ensuring strict infection control and cleanliness measures are adhered to.
Rigorous cleaning: Where patients have infections we increase the number of cleaning times. All clinical areas are cleaned with a chlorine based cleaning product.
Isolation: Patients with infections are isolated as early as possible to prevent the spread of infection. We are also investing in more side rooms to isolate patients.
Dress code: The Trust's dress code policy promotes ‘bare below the elbows’ for all clinical staff.
What you can do to help us?
There are lots of things you can do to help us reduce infections:
Wash your hands and use the alcohol gel provided. Click here to download our hand hygiene leaflet.
Remind us: Don’t be afraid to remind nurses and doctors to wash their hands.
Keep it clean: Help us to keep the hospital clean and leave public areas, including toilets, as you would like to find them. Let us know if there are any areas which are not up standard, especially public toilets. Please speak to the senior nurse on your ward or clinic or contact PALS.
Visiting? Reduce the number of people visiting to a maximum of two if you can. Please do not sit on patient’s beds or their chairs. There are specific chairs for visitors. If visiting more than one patient – don’t forget to wash your hands after seeing each one. If you are feeling unwell please do not visit the hospital as you will spread your germs.
Date: June 2010