Belfast City Hospital, Belfast - 20 October 2011 - Regulation and ...

improvement such as, increased cleaning frequencies to improve
cleaning and the removal of label and adhesive marks. In some wards
damage to the trolleys was observed. In Ward 10 North inspectors
noted that dressing trolleys required cleaning as blood stains were
observed on one trolley.
In all wards except Ward 5 South inspectors observed that commodes
had not been cleaned effectively, for example, in Ward 6 North, 10
North and 7 South the underside of the commode was soiled and/or
rust was observed in places. Trigger tape had been used on some but
not all commodes. In Wards 6 North and 7 South, a commode that
was soiled underneath had trigger tape in place to indicate that it was
clean and ready to use. The assurance system for cleaning commodes
should be reviewed. Inspectors also noted in Wards 5 South and 6
North that bedpans were not stored inverted when not in use, to assist
with the drying process and in Ward 7 South some of the bedpans
were old and worn.
In Wards 6 North and 7 South there was no evidence to show that
shared equipment was cleaned between use and in Ward 6 North
inspectors observed that on two occasions the equipment used on the
monitor trolleys was not cleaned between patient use. Again in all
wards except Ward 5 South, some staff, when asked were not aware of
the symbol for single use items.
In Ward 10 North inspectors noted specific problems with the cleaning
of the inside casing of a blood glucose monitor box which was dusty
and the Accurist holder was blood stained. Also nebuliser masks were
hanging loosely and uncovered from the trunking behind the patients
bedside. When questioned, staff gave a variety of answers regarding
the nebuliser equipment changing policy; one staff member changed
the mask daily while another changed the mask weekly.
Recommendations
12. The trust and individual staff have a collective responsibility
to ensure that patient equipment is clean and in good repair.
13. Systems and processes should be in place to assure that
staff knowledge and practice is kept up to date regarding the
decontamination of patient equipment.
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