Positive feedback from Raigmore patients to inspectors
The report by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) into an unannounced visit to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on 13 and 14 May has been published today.
Patients interviewed during the inspection provided very positive feed-back about the standards of care but the inspection team also identified a number of areas requiring improvements highlighting eight requirements and two recommendations.
Brenda Wilson, Lead Nurse for Raigmore Hospital said: “We welcome the report which is the result of a rigorous inspection and has supported a number of improvements which have already been implemented.
“When we got the initial informal feed-back after the visit on 13 and 14 May we responded immediately making the improvements that the HEI had identified. One of the main areas was around the cleaning schedule in the Emergency Department, on what was a particularly busy day.
“An action plan has been developed to ensure all the points raised are addressed.”
Actions already implemented include a daily ten point cleanliness check list introduced in the Emergency Department replacing the previous five point check. Cleaning schedules in the department have also been reviewed.
An immediate audit of static mattresses took place and the audit tool being used has also been improved. There has also been an increase in the number of mattress spot checks taking place and these are in addition to the routine checks that place when each patient is discharged.
Further emphasis is being placed on hand hygiene compliance during all infection prevention and control education sessions and awareness of hand hygiene compliance is now being raised at all staff meetings and forums.
The dress code for staff has been reinforced at staff meetings and the message will continue to be cascaded as part of the hospital’s own HEI walk rounds.
All infection prevention and control education sessions will have an emphasis placed on sharps management and the Sharps Awareness NESS module is now mandatory for all staff conducting prone procedures.
Supportive education will also be requested from suppliers of our hand hygiene products, our Sharps Disposal units and the main suppliers of Actichlor-plus.
Linda Kirkland interim director of operations said: “All staff in Raigmore are committed to the improvements laid out in our action plan. I would like to reassure everyone that I will be leading the team to ensure we maintain the expected high standards.
“It is disappointing to have these short-comings pointed out to us but that is the job the HEI team and I would like to thank them.
“The report does highlight areas of good practice which is positive. The majority of patients spoken to on the day were also very complimentary with the care including the standard of cleanliness in the hospital.”
