Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Antrim - 16 February 2012

In Donegore the bath was dirty; the charge nurse confirmed he would
contact the bath manufacturer for advice on a safe cleaning product for
staff to use when cleaning the bath.
In Erne bathroom and toilet, the toilet brush was faecally stained and
the toilet brush holder was dusty and in the bathroom the underside of
the toilet seat was stained. In the shower room there were faecal
stains on the shower wall and there were a number of faecal deposits
covering the shower base. In the clinical room the equipment sink
drain required cleaning and the seal of the drugs fridge was dirty.
The cleaning of the single bedrooms inspected in Donegore was
generally good, however, attention to detail could be improved to
ensure marks and stains are removed from walls and debris from
between the glass window panes.
In a side room in Erne, it was noted that the bedframe and underneath
the mattress, were dirty, there was faecal staining on the head board
and the inside of the mattress cover was stained; there was a strong
smell of urine from the mattress. This is not acceptable practice as it
compromises patient dignity and the delivery of care in a safe and
clean environment. Although staff advised that mattress checks were
carried out there were no records to substantiate this. One staff
member advised that the moving and handling of a mattress to carry
out a check was a health and safety/manual handling issue; staff had
not been trained on how to carry out mattress checks. This issue
should be reviewed by the trust manual handling and health and safety
officer.
In this side room, further work was required to ensure dirt is removed
from the inside of the radiator and stains from the window. Inspectors
noted that the hand washing sink, plughole and overflow required
cleaning and there were faecal stains on the sink splash back.
6.2 Clutter
In both wards there was
evidence of an emphasis in
providing clutter free
environments (Picture 1).
However inspectors observed
that some rooms and surfaces
were cluttered in appearance.
Picture 1: Donegore, Storage cupboards
In Donegore the disposal
room was small and untidy
and in the clinical room the
top surface of the
venepuncture trolley was
cluttered with equipment.
12