Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry - Regulation and Quality Improvement ...

food, and a computer keyboard was dusty. There is a greater risk of
transmission of infection from hand contact in frequently used areas.
In both wards limescale was noted on taps and fittings. Particular care
is required to ensure that limescale is removed from taps and fittings as
recent evidence has shown that limescale may harbour biofilms. The
build up of limescale can interfere with good cleaning and disinfection
by masking and protecting pathogens.
It should be noted that no cleaning issues were identified in the general
ward, public toilets, bathrooms and the domestic store of the male
medical ward.
In the female surgical ward dust was observed in the corners and
edges of the floors in the patient bed areas and domestic store. More
attention is required to ensure that raised toilet seats, bath hoists and
shower chairs are clean (Picture 2).
Picture 2: Equipment in kitchen required cleaning
Some of the fixtures and fittings and equipment in the kitchen in female
surgical ward required cleaning. In the female surgical ward the
cleaning of an isolation area inspected was generally good; however
the top of the toilet seat was stained.
In the male medical ward more attention is required to ensure the
isolation area is clean; particular attention is required for hand touch
points as the light switch had a built up of dirt and the underside of the
bedside trolleys had a residue of food and liquid stains. The underside
of the liquid soap dispenser had a residue of soap and there was no
paper towel dispenser; paper roll is used for hand drying. The taps had
a build up of lime scale and the TV hand control was grubby.
7.2 Clutter
In both areas inspected there was evidence of a continued emphasis in
providing clutter free environments, this provides effective utilisation of
space and good stock management which assists with effective
cleaning. An area for attention in the female surgical ward was the
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