Fighting infection

Reducing infections

Did you know? We haven't had a single case of MRSA bloodstream infection since 17 April 2009, making us one of the best-performing hospital trusts nationally.

Hospital patients can be particularly vulnerable to infection. Their immune systems might not be able to fight infection as well as a fitter, healthier person and they may have open areas on their skin (e.g. from surgery or wounds) that make it easier for infection to get into their bodies. That's why it's particularly important to keep hospitals and other healthcare facilities hygienic.

You might not realise it, but we all carry different bacteria on our skin. Some of these bacteria may be harmful to vulnerable people and cause infections such as MRSA or C difficile.

Following a few simple rules can keep our patients safe and reduce the spread of infection. Remember, their safety is in everyone's hands:

• Always clean your hands - preferably with soap and water - on entering and leaving a patient area e.g. a ward or outpatient clinic. You need to do this every time you enter or leave. You also need to do it when you go from one patient area to another. You will find a dedicated hand hygiene sink at the entrance to all wards. Bottles of alcohol hand gel are also widely available and may be used after washing your hands.
• Use a paper tissue if you need to cough, sneeze or blow your nose, then put it in the bin straight away and wash your hands. If you accidentally cough or sneeze into your hand, wash your hands straight away so you don't pass the germs from your hands to another person.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after eating, drinking, smoking and visiting the lavatory.
• Wash your hands with soap and water whenever they have visible dirt on them.
• Finally, it's okay to ask if hospital staff have cleaned their hands. We encourage all our patients, staff and visitors to have good hand hygiene so staff won't mind or be offended if you ask.

What we do

• We screen all elective and emergency admissions for MRSA.
• We keep the hospital clean and tidy and all areas of the hospital including wards are cleaned every day. If you think an area of the hospital needs cleaning please inform a member of staff as soon as possible.
• All staff are expected to wash their hands when entering a ward and there are hand washing facilities and alcohol gel dispensers at the entrance to each ward.
• Staff that work in clinical areas are kept up to date with effective ways of preventing infection by our dedicated infection control specialist nurses.
• If patients are at risk of serious infection we will isolate them to protect them and other patients and staff from infection.
• Where appropriate staff will wear protective clothing when caring for you in order to reduce the risk of passing your infection/germ to other patients or if you are vulnerable to protect you from catching an infection.

For patients and visitors

• If you have an infection please don't come into hospital to visit patients. We ask that you are completely well before visiting anyone in hospital.
• Clean your hands with soap and water when entering and leaving the ward.
• If you are coming into hospital or visiting a patient please only bring necessary items to avoid clutter and aid cleaning.
• Remind staff to wash their hands and don't be afraid to report and concerns or problems to a member of staff.