Heartbeat March 2020

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It's never been more important to clean, clean, clean COVID-19 Do you know how to wash your hands the NHS way? Washing your hands is an essential part of infection, prevention and control. All colleagues must wash their hands or use hand sanitiser on entering and exiting clinical areas. Clinical colleagues are reminded of the five moments of handwashing: 1. Before touching a patient 2. Before clean/aseptic procedures 3. After body fluid exposure/risk 4. After touching a patient 5. After touching patient surroundings. Washing your hands is one of the simplest ways you can protect yourself and others from illnesses. Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them from spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses. It can also help stop people from picking up infections and spreading them to others. As we all try to navigate life with the threat of COVID-19 we’ve highlighted some easy to follow steps to ensure your hands are squeaky clean. 1. Wet your hands with water 2. Apply enough soap or hand wash to cover your hands 3. Rub your hands together 4. Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand 5. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers You must wash your hands thoroughly for no less than 20 seconds each time 6. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms 7. Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb. 8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand 9. Rinse your hands with water 10. Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel where possible 11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap. Ward services officers on the frontline The unsung heroes of our Trust who continue working on the frontline helping our workplace stay one step ahead of COVID-19 are our army of ward services officers. Compassionate and dedicated, our ward services officers continue to battle with COVID-19 by keeping our sites clean and tidy. With their high standards of hygiene our ward services officers have taken on the challenge of ensuring that our wards and departments are spotlessly clean so that clinical colleagues can continue providing safe and effective care. To find out more about the work of the ward services team, <strong>Heartbeat</strong> caught up with Ward Service Officers (WSOs) Christine Jukes and Julie Brazier. Giving an insight in to the work of WSOs Christine said, “We owe it to all of the patients at our Trust to make sure that we have a clean hospital for them to come in to and likewise for colleagues to work in. COVID-19 has simply reminded us how important our role is in making sure that the virus does not have an opportunity to settle, transfer or take hold in our hospital. Every one of my colleagues understands that the role they play in the current situation really does have an impact.” Ward Services Officers Christine Jukes and Julie Brazier "in action" Echoing the words of her colleague, Julie said, “I’ve worked here for 20 years and it’s fair to say COVID-19 has been a bit of a wake up call for everyone. We're now more focused than ever on making sure every surface and touch point is spotlessly clean and kept clean throughout each day. COVID-19 is very easy to pass on through droplets and touch so our work is extremely important. “However, it’s not all mops, buckets and dusters. As WSOs we’re an extra set of eyes on the wards. Whilst we clean, we have an opportunity to interact with patients. When we get them a drink we have an opportunity to have a chat and gain an insight in to their health and wellbeing and more often than not they’ll tell us when they’re feeling well and when they’re not. We’re able to work with the rest of the ward team and get involved.” 8
Supporting colleagues - swabbing for safety Our focus on keeping our colleagues safe has never been stronger than it is right now under the strain of COVID-19 and to support colleagues affected by the virus we have restarted our staff swabbing clinics. The commitment shown by colleagues delivering frontline care to patients has been amazing. As a Trust, we have a vital part to play in making sure that colleagues have access to healthcare and testing to ensure they can protect themselves, their families and the people around them. Colleagues who are symptomatic and self-isolating now have the opportunity to book into our COVID testing clinics. These are drive-in clinics that colleagues can book in to and then be tested from the comfort of their car. To find out more about the drive-in swab testing clinics, <strong>Heartbeat</strong> caught up with Practice Educator, Digital Lead Nurse and now staff swab tester Andrew Churm. He said: “We are doing community testing to support our colleagues who we appreciate are working in difficult environments such as accident and emergency and the acute medical unit. This type of testing means that staff can get back to work to help support their colleagues. We may be outside doing the swabbing in a car park COVID-19 but we see it as being part of a wider team effort.” Andrew added: “The team are doing a fantastic job across our sites, they are pulling together and there is a good uptake from staff which we’re pleased about.” If you are symptomatic and you want to book into one of the clinics, simply call 0121 507 2664 and select option 5. Colleagues who are symptomatic can book an appointment at our COVID testing clinics 9
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Heartbeat March 2020

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