Hospital slammed by inspectors

David O'Leary • Published 23 Apr 2010 16:49 6 Comments

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INFECTION control and prevention measures at Borders General Hospital have come under fire from inspectors.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate made an announced visit to four wards as well as the Radiography and A&E department at the start of March.

A total of 13 requirements and four recommendations for improvements were made after inspectors found a catalogue of problems.

The report, which was published this week, stated: "Staff were observed moving between isolation rooms, bed bays and other wards without changing their personal protective equipment.

"The layout of the physical environment in ward 8 is of particular concern. It is understood that the ward was refurbished about five years ago, but these renovations have led to an environment which significantly hinders staff in following good infection control."

Problems with cleaning procedures, waste management policies and infection audits were also highlighted in the report.

And a break down in communications also concerned inspectors.

The report added: "The inspection team has significant concerns regarding the relationship between the infection control team and ward staff.

"Staff spoken to on the wards stated that the infection control team had no notable presence on the ward; this was evident to the inspection team by the lack of infection control practices observed on the day of the inspection.

"There was also a lack of awareness regarding responsibilities for drug management at ward level.

"Ward staff stated that the responsibility for the management of drugs on the wards was with the pharmacist; however the pharmacist stated that the responsibility lay with ward staff.

"The lack of clarity regarding these roles was evidenced on the wards as a number of drugs were found by the inspectors to be out of date."

An unannounced follow-up visit took place on March 24 to ward 8 and inspectors found an improvement in both the prevention and control of infection.

But Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon is demanding further progress.

She told the Peeblesshire News: "While the content of this report is clearly disappointing, I am heartened that - at a follow-up visit - inspectors found improvements had already been made to infection control measures.

"However, it's plain that urgent improvements are necessary at Borders General Hospital and I expect this report to act as a catalyst for immediate change.

"I have asked my officials to provide all necessary support to ensure NHS Borders puts in place a robust infection control policy.

"Patients deserve the highest standards from our health service - wherever they live in Scotland. This report, which highlights serious shortcomings, must now be used to ensure that is exactly what Borders residents get.

"I expect NHS Borders to work quickly to address all the issues raised and look forward to seeing further inspection reports to chart their progress."

A detailed action improvement plan, which has been signed off by NHS Borders chair Mary Wilson and chief executive Calum Campbell, has been published.

Mr Campbell told us: "Patient Safety is the number one priority for NHS Borders.

"All NHS Borders staff work hard to ensure we maintain the necessary standards of cleanliness and hygiene to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection.

"We are committed to continually improving standards in this area.

"NHS Borders welcome the Health Environment Inspectorate Report. We recognise there are areas where we need to make further improvement and we have already put a comprehensive action plan in place to ensure we urgently implement the recommendations set out in the report.

I am confident this will quickly result in visible and sustainable improvements to our service."

Local MSP Jeremy Purvis was briefed on the report by both the chair and chief executive.

He said: "In reading the full report with the list of recommendations one cannot be anything other than gravely disappointed.

"However the BGH is an outstanding hospital with dedicated staff and the Chief Executive and Chair have provided the strongest commitment to act on every recommendation.

"I have read the actions that the Board have undertaken to take forward and I expect them to be carried out in full. In our meeting they provided this personal commitment."

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 23 Apr 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Nicky Young nee Wilson
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Apr 24, 02:21
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As a retired ex Peel nurse, I think it is about time students were brought back into the hospital wards to do their training and learned about infection control from day one as we did.

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Jean Cameron nee Young
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Apr 24, 02:27
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Hear hear Nicky. This deplorable situation would not have occurred in our day, despite our methods being cosidered as "old fashioned".

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L.H
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Apr 24, 18:05
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I am a student nurse and we are on wards and placements for 50% of our training and yes infection control is addressed from day one. We have an ongoing package to complete throughout our degree. You can't blame poor hygeine on the students training!

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NickyYoung
Unregistered User
Apr 25, 05:16
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Why were you afraid to leave your name?

I am not saying our training was superior,as yours is now more technical,less emphasis on patient care.(I have recently been in hospital after major surgery)

We were on the wards 100% of the time. 6 week Blocks of study, but we still had to go to onto the wards until school started at 9am.

If You don't blame poor hygiene how come the Hospital is having such trouble with infection control. Someone has to take the blame.

I will not go on as you will never see reason. Just be lucky you were not a student in a ward I was in charge of. Attitude like that does not go with a caring nurse.

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James Blonde
Unregistered User
Apr 26, 10:31
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Nicky, what a terrible over-reaction to what was simply someone saying that as a student, from day 1 they are taught infection control! I don't see what reason LH will never see, and I don't see ANYTHING in what LH said that called their attitude to patient care or nursing into question.

Nobody said anything about not blaming poor hygiene - clearly that is a problem! However the problem is not that its not being taught, it is that it's not being practiced! Its the experienced clinical staff who are not practicing it, and not reinforcing the behaviour in new staff as they come on board! So don't blame the students, as they are being taught best practice!

As for not leaving names, you may not realise this, but many employers (particularly public sector) see commenting on work practices in public as being a disciplinary offence, so to protect your job, you have to post anonymously...

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LH
Unregistered User
May 3, 18:46
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Thank you James - I'm just glad that I am not doing adult nurse training if that's the attitide some people have towards students!

As for not leaving my name - why should I have to? And James is correct, I'm not putting my neck on the line to have an argument with somebody who turns a deaf ear to a simple comment.

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