Spot checks on the hygiene of NHS trusts
Unannounced inspections are to be carried out at 120 NHS trusts over the coming year as part of the Government's drive to reduce health care-associated infections.
The Healthcare Commission announced the programme of inspections last
month and has so far carried out 11 visits and issued one improvement
notice.
The commission is checking compliance with the Government’s hygiene
code, which specifies 11 compulsory duties to prevent and manage infections
like meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium
difficile.
The assessors will look at cleanliness as well as practices and procedures,
such as isolating patients, hand washing and cleaning equipment. They
will also examine whether trusts have proper organisational structures
in place and whether infection control is a priority.
Trusts that are in breach of the code will be required to draw up an
action plan to resolve problems within a specific time. Failure to do
so will result in the commission issuing an improvement notice, a new
legal power under the Health Act 2006.
Compliance with the hygiene code will form part of the commission’s
annual assessment of NHS trusts and both inspection programmes will be
co-ordinated to ensure that trusts are not visited unnecessarily.
The first round of reports are expected to be published shortly on the
Healthcare
Commission’s website
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Hospital
Pharmacist