Introducing Dr Hans Clean - The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals ...

Welcome...Welcome to the Spring 2009 edition of Trust Talk.Despite experiencing a very busy Winter period, I ampleased to say the hospital’s forward planning paidoff with extra staff employed and extra beds openedand isolation facilities set up to prevent the spread ofinfection, New Cross Hospital fared very well.So I’d like to say a big thank you to all the staff whoworked so very hard not only to plan the Winter butduring the very busy Winter months – it would nothave been a success without your professionalismand dedication.Our staff are our biggest asset and, in recognition ofthat, the Trust has embarked on a new Listening intoAction approach, asking staff for their views on whatcan be done to improve the patient experience andpatient safety.As a result of this approach an initial 12 improvementprojects have been identified to help us improve ourservices, which will be delivered by the staff workingin those areas.This approach will be rolled across the rest of thehospital over the rest of the year, with staff identifyingand leading on projects themselves, to improve theway the hospital works.Alongside this, work hasbegun on the developmentof the hospital site, withinitial enabling projectstaking place already, inpreparation for the demolitionof older buildings, to bereplaced by state of the David Loughton, Chief Executiveart facilities.These new facilities,including an Emergency Centre, will provideintegrated modern health care services for allour patients, providing a better environment andimproving the patient experience.We have also launched Dr Hans Clean to the world –our latest weapon in the fight against infections – ashe reminds people all around the hospital and in thewider community, to follow the New Cross Code.These five simple steps, if followed by everyone whoenters the site for whatever reason, will help thehospital staff in their ongoing fight against infections.We need everyone to work together to help keep ourhospital safe and clean – spread the word, not theinfections.Champion swimmer and television presenterSharron Davies, visited New Cross to officially launchDr Hans Clean, and the New Cross Code, with theclear message: “no matter who you are, or how andwhy you come into the hospital, you need to doyour part to drive down infections by following theNew Cross Code.”Sharron met a life size version of Dr Hans, beforeunveiling the larger than life graphic inside of theHeart and Lung Centre, as a centrepiece for thecampaign.There is also a huge graphic on the front of the Heartand Lung building and anyone driving into the sitecannot fail to notice the figure.The idea for launching a major public awarenesscampaign, came from managers and staff at thehospital, when asked for suggestions for furtheraction the Trust could take to continue to drivedown infections.So, look out for Dr Hans Clean and make sure youfollow his New Cross Code every time you are onsite, and help us to keep the hospital a clean andsafe place for everyone.Dr Hans Clean joins thefight against infectionWith Patient Safety always at the top of the agenda,the Trust has welcomed a brand new addition tothe workforce to help in the ongoing battle to drivedown infections. Dr Hans Clean has been launchedto patients, staff and the public, to deliver the NewCross Code – five clear messages to help reduceinfections on site.Dr Hans was chosen as independent researchcarried out with patients and visitors across theregion about infection prevention revealed theywanted to know what they could do to help, andthey wanted that information and advice in cartoonformat to make it easy to understand.She then spent time on the Cardiology Ward andChildren’s Ward, talking to patients and their familiesabout the important role everyone has to play inkeeping the hospital a safe and clean environment.In a major public awareness campaign, Dr HansClean has been placed throughout the site, withclear messages for patients, visitors and staff, on therole they have to play.He will be seen in leaflets, posters, patient letters,on the entrances coming into the hospital, on thesides of several buildings, on the web site, and onthe sides of the buses which bring people into thehospital.Life size suits of Dr Hans will bring him to life andensure he can attend community events andspread the word about infection prevention, andanimated versions of him will appear on informationscreens which have been installed at key locationsthroughout the hospital.1 2