Dust up over ward hygiene

INSPECTORS have criticised dusty conditions found in a Scottish hospital's intensive care unit.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) said inspectors found high levels of dust on patient beds and equipment in the ward at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock during an unannounced visit.

They returned two days later to find improvements, but dust was still found under two beds.

The inspectors called for further work to address the problems they found.

Susan Brimelow, HEI chief inspector, said: "Overall we found that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is complying with the majority of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland healthcare associated infection standards.

"We found that most areas in the hospital are clean but we have also identified areas for improvement including the standard of cleaning in the intensive care unit."