By Gillian Ellison

Last updated 15:46, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

HOSPITALS in North Cumbria have been given top scores for hygiene following an unannounced spot-check carried out by an independent health watchdog.

Bosses say this confirms that the West Cumberland Hospital and the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, are committed to tackling infection effectively and are providing safe and clean environments for patients and staff.

Both hospitals were scrutinised by the Healthcare Commission’s inspectors during their unannounced visits to the hospitals over two days in August.

The North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust, which manages the hospitals, said the inspectors visited key clinical areas and wards in both hospitals and found them to be all well ordered, clean and well maintained.

This was also confirmed by the patients and staff who talked to the inspectors independently.

The results of this spot-check have been published on the Healthcare Commission’s website www.healthcarecommission.org.uk.

The two-day visit was part of the Healthcare Commission’s programme of inspections to all 172 acute hospital sites in England which was launched in April 2008.

These spot checks were designed to check that all hospitals are following guidance on how to protect patients from infections, such as MRSA bacteraemia and Clostridium difficile.

The inspectors assess trusts against a minimum of three (out of 11) duties under the Hygiene Code which came into force in October 2006 giving the Healthcare Commission new powers to ensure hospitals maintained standards of hygiene.

The Healthcare Commission uses a traffic light system to assess trusts and to judge compliance with the code.

The Trust was given the green-light meaning that no breaches were found on the three duties that were assessed.

Carole Heatly, chief executive, said: “Infection control is top priority at the Trust and I am delighted this has been borne out and demonstrated by our excellent results in this recent spot check.

“We have made real progress in reducing healthcare associated infections within the hospitals. This success has been built upon by everyone working together, from doctors and nurses to porters and housekeepers, and we have embedded good hygiene practice in all that we do. Our staff and our Infection Prevention Teams are to be commended for what they are achieving.”

A package of measures has been introduced over the last 12 months, including the appointment of two lead matrons for both hospital sites.

Chris Platton (Cumberland Infirmary) and Lesley Carruthers (West Cumberland Hospital) now lead on infection prevention and can be easily identified by their red uniforms.

The Trust has also appointed a lead hand hygiene nurse (Charlotte Johnston) who is developing campaigns to keep hand hygiene at the top of everyone’s agenda; and two specialist infection prevention IV nurses (Gill Long and Christine Musgrave).

IV specialist nurses deliver training, support and education to staff in the use of IV therapy which includes cannulation/venepuncture and care and management of venous access.