The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) today (Monday) published its report relating to an inspection visit to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on 2 and 3 June 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 Greater Glasgow and Clyde 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 three requirements (which are linked to compliance with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland healthcare associated infection standards) and nine recommendations for improvement.
The full HEI inspection report and an improvement action plan developed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to address the identified issues are available to view at http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/7868.html
Speaking of the report, Susan Brimelow, HEI Chief Inspector, said: “The inspection team observed that Glasgow Royal Infirmary is complying with the majority of NHS QIS healthcare associated infection standards. In particular the team found an infection control structure in place, weekly training available to all domestic services staff and separate waste and patient handling duties for porters and information on healthcare associated infections being communicated effectively to patients and visitors. However the inspection team also found that further improvement is required in the maintenance of ageing buildings, thorough risk assessment of the healthcare environment and ensuring appropriate levels of cleaning staff are made available when needed.
The report identifies three requirements and nine recommendations for improvement which have been agreed by senior staff at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and we fully expect these will be addressed and the necessary improvements made as a matter of priority.”
Requirements
1. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is required to ensure that all policies in the infection control manual are up-to-date to ensure that all staff have access to the latest information and guidance on infection prevention and control issues.
2. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is required to maintain the healthcare environment within Glasgow Royal Infirmary in a way that minimises the risk of spreading infection and any infection risks posed by maintenance or refurbishment activities are managed or eliminated.
3. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is required to ensure that there is adequate allocation of domestic staff to meet the needs of all areas in the hospital in order to ensure that levels of cleanliness in areas undergoing maintenance work likely to cause an increase in dust will be satisfactorily maintained.
Recommendations
1. It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde carries out and produces formal risk assessments to support any non-compliance with standard guidance.
2. It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde begins mattress audits on patient trolleys that can be checked and puts in place a programme to replace those that cannot be checked.
3. It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde reviews the provision of en-suite facilities in isolation rooms, incorporating these facilities where and when appropriate.
4. It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirms that the decontamination process has been completed on all specialist beds and mattresses.
5. It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde develops a process for the insertion of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) that can be easily monitored.
6. It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ensures that documentation for the insertion of PVCs is started at the time of insertion.
7. It is recommended that staff change curtains and vertical blinds in ward 43 every time a patient in isolation is discharged to reduce the risk of transmission of infections.
8 . It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ensures that the furniture in the relatives’ waiting room on ward 43 be replaced with furniture that can be cleaned.
9. It is recommended that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde develops an accessible, central system for recording all staff training, including infection prevention and control.
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.
Rob MacPhail, Communications Officer, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland on 0785 583 8340
