'Help us cut infections'

11:04am Thursday 15th May 2008

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THE public is being recruited by Swindon's Great Western Hospital in its battle against hospital acquired infections.

To hammer home the message the hospital has launched a fresh initiative called HIT Infection Together'.

It is spreading the word about hand washing and general hygiene.

"It's really trying to encourage visitors and patients and remind staff that they need to maintain good hand hygiene protecting themselves and protecting other people," said Lyn Hill-Tout, Chief executive of the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust "When you talk to the public, healthcare acquired infection, which you can prevent through hygiene, worries people the most.

"This is giving people the information and giving them the facilities to use them."

The main points of the campaign are to wash hands thoroughly, particularly after using the toilet, not to sit on beds, not put feet on beds and furniture, use alcohol gels when entering and leaving a ward and not to visit the hospital if you are feeling unwell.

Challenging staff, if there are worries over their hygiene standards, is also encouraged.

The hospital must conform to standards set nationally called the Saving Lives care bundle which has been implemented in every ward.

It has received funding from the Department of Health specifically to tackle infection.

Infections like MRSA and clostridium difficile (C Diff) are potentially fatal and spread very easily. Recent hospital figures show the numbers of these infections are reducing.

But GWH has already had two hospital acquired MRSA cases since the beginning of April.

All staff now should be going round bare from the elbow down and should be washing this part of their arms. Children staying in the hospital have also contributed to the campaign with artwork such as a palm tree made of paper hands.

Ms Hill-Tout has been impressed by the public's support: "People come in here to be well and if people get an infection we haven't done our job properly," she said.

"We have small numbers of infections but that is not a reason for being complacent. One preventable infection is too many."

Infections can be transferred in many different ways, but commonly through invasive devices such as catheters and central lines.

Ruth McCarthy, associate director for clinical governance and infection prevention and control, said: "There are things that are really really basic, but important.

"If you can get that straight you are 80 to 90 per cent there."