Hospital Infections

[wolfie]

I have read recently that Halton hospital has been completely free of MRSA and C-Dificile? infections for over 18 months, so how come Warrington hospital is still infected? :confused: What are they doing that we aren't? or should it be 'what are they not doing that we still are'

[Paul Kennedy]

Maybe the different nature of the hospitals, in terms of the work that they undertake has something to do with it. Halton has no A&E is not ageneral hospital and only does planned work, and of course Halton is a lot smaller.

[observer]

May also be the nature and standatrd of cleaning: On a recent visit I carried out a mini-inspection; noting a build up of dirt around the air con vents; on curtain rail surfaces and around floor edges where the buffer obviously can't reach. A recent inspection of one hospital reported MRSA in the curtains, which are changed only four times per year.

[Sparky71]

I've seen nurses wearing there uniforms outside the hospital. Surely they should have to change.

[Eagle]

I went visiting a friend yesterday in Warrington and whilst by his bed a porter strolled in with his outside gear on ,manky donkey jacket,trousers that hadn't been washed for ages, dirty boots and carrying his filthy gloves.

If someone can suggest a person and address I will fire off a complaint.

[trojan]

Sure that wasn't the doctor Eagle

[Paul Kennedy]

Why not go straight to the top, Mrs Catherine Beardshaw the Chief Exec based at Warrington DGH.

[reader]

There is a different attitude at Halton and it reflects in the cleanliness of the hospital

[Eagle]

Eh?

[wolfie]

Must be a virus

[Eagle]

I notice that the post that I replied to has been removed, I don't want people to think I reply to two year old posts.

[wolfie]

I notice that the post that I replied to has been removed,

 

Makes a change, it's usually my posts that get removed.

[observer]

A friend of the wife's went in the Gen for an op, but got it cancelled cos she'd contracted MRSA - hospitals just ain't a safe place anymore. And if it ain't that, you could lose your bladder instead of an ernia.

[Sue Durnim]

Imay be missing the point of this discussion but keeping a hospital germ free must be an impossibility, except in the most sterile of places e.g. operating theatres, nurses and doctors by their very nature pass from one ward to another attending patients needs and I have seen on my many visits to the hospital the doctors and nurses using the sterile hand gel.

 

Visitors must also carry the MRSA and C-Dificile and other such viruses on them selves from their home, car, bus or street, unless hospitals employ dedicated staff to follow everyone about and spray disinfectant everywhere they walk or touch we will always have this problem, if everyone uses common sense, caution and hygiene precautions the threat of germs should be less?

 

The link below will be of use to those of you are interested?

 

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/homehygiene/Pages/Homehygienetrivia.aspx

[Sha]

MRSA is not some new phenomenom! it's always been around! But it only thrives in filth. The fact we never used to hear of it was because the standards of hygiene in hospitals were far higher than they are today. MRSA is a direct result of cost cutting. Too many chiefs and not enough cleaners! Lax ward management and careless disregard to hygiene by staff have also played a big part in it's spread.

[Eagle]

the standards of hygiene in hospitals were far higher than they are today. Too many chiefs and not enough cleaners!

 

Excellent summary.

[observer]

agree - fair summary Sha.

[Paul Kennedy]

Bring back the carbolic, might have made hospitals have that distinctive smell, but it seemed to work.

[observer]

In the days of typhus, smallpox oubreaks etc; we developed a culture of cleanliness, especially in the medical profession - sadly nowadays, we think we're immune to everything - and the new "Trusts" were more interested in building a facade of shops etc, rather than retaining dedicated anti-bio units.