Altnaglevin Hospital, Londonderry - 22 November 2011

Damaged equipment was noted in all wards. In Ward 3 bedpans in the
dirty utility room and IV stands in the store were old and worn. The
frames of some commodes were rusted, the frame of the notes trolley
was chipped and the legs of the trolley holding the ECG machine were
damaged. The top of the resuscitation trolley in Ward 40 was damaged
and in Ward 31 the catheter stands in the dirty utility room had been
bound in fabric bandage and the plastic coating was split in places.
There were several issues identified by the inspectors in Ward 8
regarding staff practice. The inspectors were advised by staff in Ward
8 that patients anti – embolism stockings (TEDS) were communally
soaked in Daz washing powder and dried in the ward tumble dryer.
Both a nasal cannulae and a detached IV line were observed hanging
loosely from an oxygen point at the patients bedside and IV stand
respectively. The tip of the IV line was uncovered. When questioned
staff gave varying answers on when to change oxygen/nebulizer tubing
and equipment.
In Ward 8, the inspectors observed one patient being assisted with
personal care, the bedside locker was open and clothing/underwear
had spilled on to the floor. Both a bedpan and urinal had not been
emptied after use and were left underneath the bed on the floor for
some time. A doctor was also observed handling the tip of a syringe
prior to use as part of an aseptic non touch (ANTT) procedure.
With the exception of the staff on Ward 3, staff were not aware of the
symbol for single use items.
Recommendations
12. The trust has and individual staff and a collective
responsibility to ensure that patient equipment is clean and
in good repair.
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