A recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) follow-up visit to Basildon University Hospital, found to have “unacceptable cleaning standards” during a CQC inspection last October (HEJ – January 2010), found hygiene standards were now being met.
Basildon hospital’s hygiene improved
In the latest visit a CQC team conducted an unannounced spot-check in the hospital’s A&E Department and Medical Admissions Unit. Alan Whittle, CEO, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said that following the October visit the Trust had taken “immediate remedial action and instigated a series of actions in response to the CQC feedback”. The spot-check duly confirmed that the Trust had: carried out cleaning audits and alerted its cleaning contractor to any problems; allocated additional cleaners to the A&E department; introduced systems to ensure patient areas are cleaned after each use; ensured patient trolleys are clean and uncluttered; replaced procedure trays used to carry equipment for taking blood samples or giving injections; replaced all trolley mattresses in A&E; ensured single-use items are in date and with packaging intact; repaired damage to doors, door frames and chairs, and increased audit frequency.