Hospitals visitors asked to help fight against superbug

Jun 24 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

Hospitals visitors asked to help fight against superbug

HOSPITAL visitors in Wirral are being urged to “think again” about gifts they bring into Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals.

Both patients and visitors to the two Wirral hospitals are being asked to play their part in the ongoing fight against infection.

Staff say the support of the public is crucial if healthcare-acquired infections, such as MRSA and C. difficile, are to be prevented and controlled.

As part of the relaunch of the Hospital Cleaning Standards, which starts this week, infection control experts at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are asking visitors not only to wash their hands when visiting loved ones but to choose get well gifts carefully.

“Cards and cuddly toys are lovely but they can get in the way of the regular and thorough cleaning that takes place daily in our hospitals,” said Senior Infection Control Nurse Carmel Edwards.

“We want to make sure that our wards are cleaned to the very highest standard but it can be very difficult to clean a bed area which is cluttered.

“We are asking visitors to consider bringing other practical gifts, such as toiletries, tissues or small amounts of fruit or wrapped confectionery which can be easily tidied away in a bedside locker.

“We know that some patients worry about the risk of contracting an infection but we want to reassure them that we are doing everything possible to ensure that their treatment is a success and their hospital experience is positive.

“They should feel free to tell a member of staff if the hygiene standards are not being met so that they can be addressed as soon as possible.”

The trust has a good track record in controlling infections, with the maternity unit remaining free from MRSA, and infection control is a top priority with a team of experts dedicated to tackling the issue.

New posters reminding patients and visitors about the steps they can take to limit the spread of infections are being displayed in every ward from this week and leaflets are being issued to every patient.

Earlier this year, managers at the hospital said that patients should expect staff directly involved in their care to wear short-sleeved uniforms or garments with rolled up sleeves, as another infection-control measure.

In February the trust announced that patients would be screened for MRSA before they come into Arrowe Park, Clatterbridge, St Catherine’s in Birkenhead and Victoria Community Hospital, in Wallasey after high rates of the superbug were observed last December.

liammurphy