Hospital bed infection fear

12:16pm Friday 27th June 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Patients are at risk of infection from soiled and clean mattresses being kept within feet of each other at Ashford Hospital, according to the Healthcare Commission (HC).

It issued an improvement notice to the trust following breaches of the hygiene code discovered on an unannounced inspection on June 5 and 6.

"The failure to maintain effective decontamination of medical equipment represents a risk to the safety of patients and diminishes the trust�s ability to prevent and control infection.�

Marcia Fry

The main issue was with a special "air" mattress decontamination room. The HC found 12 problems there, including the lack of adequate storage facilities and there being no drainage for dirty water.

Marcia Fry, head of operational development at HC, said: "The failure to maintain effective decontamination of medical equipment represents a risk to the safety of patients and diminishes the trust's ability to prevent and control infection."

The HC risk control team first visited the hospital on March 12 and highlighted concern but said not enough had been done to improve safety.

Ashford and St Peter's chief executive Paul Bentley insisted measures were being taken, including the closure of the decontamination room and the installation of a larger sink.

He said: "I have asked our deputy chief executive to urgently review the issues raised by the Healthcare Commission. I know this news may be of concern to our patients. I can reassure patients, and the public, that both Ashford and St Peter's are hospitals where we strive to ensure safety and reduce risks."