Infection Prevention and Control
We take cleanliness and infection prevention and control very seriously at our hospitals and we understand the impact this has on patient confidence.
The Director of Nursing and Infection Prevention and Control reports directly to the Chief Executive and has a dedicated Infection Prevention and Control Team. The team provides specialist advice and support to all Trust staff on issues relating to infection prevention and control to ensure that patients, visitors and staff are protected from acquiring infections.
Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust has reported year on year reductions in MRSA bloodstream infections. The Trust is also reporting lower rates of Clostridium difficile infection. The Trust participates in the mandatory surveillance of MRSA bloodstream and Clostridium difficile infections and this information is published on the Health Protection Agency website.
All NHS trusts must be registered with the Care Quality Commission and to do so they must meet a range of government regulations, including one on cleanliness and infection control. We are pleased to report that we currently have unconditional registration with the Care Quality Commission in relation to infection prevention and control. This was made after unannounced visits in December 2009 and November 2008. The full reports can be found on the Care Quality Commission website.
MRSA
We are compliant with Department of Health guidance for MRSA in that all relevant planned admissions are tested for MRSA prior to admission and our unplanned emergency admissions are tested for MRSA within 24 hours.
This involves taking skin swabs and nose swabs and sending them to the laboratory to test to see if MRSA is present. For planned admissions if the test shows that MRSA is present and the person is not yet in hospital, arrangements will be made to have treatment before being admitted. If the test is positive for any unplanned admission then all patients will be given treatment whilst in our care.
Isolation
Certain infections may require patients to be nursed in a single room. The Trust has a dedicated isolation ward to ensure patients are given the specialist attention they need. Please feel free to discuss any concerns or questions with the nursing staff.
Hand hygiene
The single most important tool we have to aid us in the prevention of spreading infection is to have staff decontaminate their hands before and after caring for you and your relatives by washing their hands or using an alcohol based cleanser.
As a Trust we take hand hygiene very seriously and monitor every clinical area on a weekly basis, the results of which you will be able to find on the infection control notice board within each ward and department.
We also participate in the National Patient Safety Agency's Cleanyourhands campaign and have signed up to the World Health Organisations Clean hands save lives campaign.
It's OK to ask!
We take hand hygiene seriously but sometimes when we're really busy, we might not clean our hands as often as we should. So if you're worried that we've forgotten, it's OK to remind us! We welcome your help in keeping you safe.
If you are concerned about hand hygiene within our Trust please do not hesitate to speak to the ward leader or Matron for that area.
Helping us to prevent infections
If you are due to come into hospital please let staff know if:
- you have been in any hospital in the last 12 months
- you have previously been told that you have MRSA
- you have had C.difficile diarrhoea in the past
- you develop any diarrhoea and/or vomiting prior to admission or whilst in hospital.
When you are in hospital it is important to use good hygiene, which includes washing your hands before meals and after going to the toilet. If you cannot do this yourself then please ask one of the nurses to help you.
If you are visiting someone in hospital it is important that:
- you use the alcohol hand gel when entering and leaving the ward or use soap and water as directed by the nursing staff
- you do not visit if you are feeling unwell or discuss with one of the nurses if you are unsure
- if you want to bring children into the wards, please discuss this first with the nurses and do not bring them in if they are unwell.
Further information
If you have any queries or concerns about infection prevention and control please feel free to contact the Infection Control Team via the switchboard on 0845 111 4000.
