Infection control across local hospitals gets the thumbs up from health watchdog
There’s positive news for local hospitals after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) praised the measures put in place to keep the spread of Covid at bay, and ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors.
The good news - published today - comes after an unannounced visit by CQC inspectors. Their visit and report into infection prevention and control showcased the on-going work of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
In its report, the CQC said that it was clear that the Covid-19 pandemic had created a number of challenges, but staff remained passionate about providing quality care with compassion to their patients.
Staff described how they were supported by their infection prevention and control team and kept updated with any changes in practice or guidelines.
The report shows that the Trust had exceeded its target for infection prevention and control training, and 95 per cent of staff had received their first Covid vaccination.
Clare Panniker, chief executive of the Trust, said: “I’m delighted that the CQC has recognised the enormous amount of work that has been done by our staff to keep patients as safe as possible.
“Teams across our hospitals have worked together, supported each other, and taken personal responsibility for following all of the guidance to prevent the spread of infection.”
The CQC noted that all the wards and clinical areas they visited had signs on their entrances, informing staff of the infection risk and what personal protective equipment they needed to wear before entering. There were hand hygiene stations, face mask stations and track and trace log ons at all entrances to wards.
Inspectors saw that all ward and department areas were being cleaned continuously, and ongoing hygiene was being monitored by housekeepers and the infection prevention and control team.
Following the transfer of any patients with Covid-19 or other infections a deep clean team undertake a thorough and extensive clean of the room or area.
In their report the inspectors said: “The Trust had clear infection prevention and control strategies that aimed to continuously improved its IPC practice. Staff felt supported, respected and valued.”