Reducing Infection Rates

Some recent changes we have made to clinical practice include:

• Introduction of disposable detergent clothes to make cleaning easier and reduce the risk of cross infection.

    

• A review of the Trust's antibiotic policy to ensure that staff have clear guidelines for the appropriate use of antibiotics.   This limits the use of antibiotics and consequently helps to reduce the incidence of Clostridium difficile.

    

• Introduction of standardised practices relating to peripheral cannulae insertion.  This reduces the risk of local and blood stream infection. (A peripheral cannula is a small thin tube inserted into a vein, commonly in the back of the hand used for giving drugs or fluids directly into a vein).

   

• Update of  the policy relating to peripheral cannulae care, in line with national guidance.

• Introduction of a special procedure tray for the insertion of peripheral cannulae and taking blood to reduce the risk of cross infection.

The Trust is also an active participant of the Clean your hands campaign, an initiative from the National Patient Safety Agency to continually reinforce compliance to good hand hygiene for staff, visitors and patients.