Ninewells warned it must clean up its act

A HOSPITAL has been warned it must prioritise improving hygiene procedures, six months after inspectors first raised concerns.

Officials visiting Ninewells Hospital, in Dundee, said they found dirty mattresses, poor hand hygiene practices and overfilled bins containing sharp items.

A report by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) called for better compliance with the colour coding of hospital cleaning materials and equipment, to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

The hospital was inspected in April, covering six wards including the respiratory, renal and urology wards. This came on the back of an inspection last November, which resulted in 11 requirements and four recommendations.

Inspectors have told NHS Tayside to implement a system for routine checking of mattresses after two were found to be dirty.

The report also said medical staff should comply with national guidance on hand hygiene and dress code, after some workers at the hospital were seen wearing watches or long-sleeved shirts.

Inspectors said one nurse was seen wearing a "noticeably dirty uniform".

Nine of the original requirements have been repeated in the new report.

HEI chief inspector Susan Brimelow said: "Overall, NHS Tayside is working towards complying with some of the standards to protect patients, staff and visitors from the risk of acquiring an infection.

"However, a number of issues that we identified in our previous inspection of Ninewells Hospital in November 2010 have still to be addressed. We expect that all requirements and recommendations will be addressed by NHS Tayside, and the necessary improvements made, as a matter of priority."