'Urgent action' call as report reveals poor hygiene at hospital

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) highlighted the level of cleanliness in parts of the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline.

In their report, inspectors said there were "numerous examples of varying levels of cleaning and a consistent lack of attention to detail throughout ward areas".

The HEI – set up to help tackle healthcare-associated infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile – also noted the "poor overall lack of cleanliness" in the renal high dependency unit.

Inspectors found some of the linen on patients' beds was "worn and stained" and that beds in accident and emergency and one of the wards had "contaminated mattresses".

They also said there were some areas "where the fabric of the building was so degraded it could no longer be cleaned effectively".

In addition, the inspectors stated correct hand hygiene procedures and the NHS dress code were not being strictly adhered to by some medical staff in wards and units.

They have now recommended all NHS Fife staff attend education sessions to address the issue.

Ms Sturgeon said that, although the report highlighted some areas of good practice, there needed to be a "vigorous response" from NHS chiefs.

She said: "The inspectors have found a number of areas in this hospital where I expect to see urgent action to improve standards and reduce infection risks for patients.

"NHS Fife has since published an improvement plan and they have given an assurance that all of the action areas identified in the report are being addressed.

"I expect them to make swift progress in implementing the plan and the inspectorate will monitor this through further planned and unannounced inspections.

"We need to ensure that we provide care of the highest quality and do all we can to protect patients from the risk of healthcare-associated infections."

HEI chief inspector Susan Brimelow said inspectors had seen some "good work" at the Queen Margaret Hospital.

But she added: "Inspectors also identified a number of concerns, including the need for more robust monitoring of cleaning and the need to ensure staff at every level adhere to the national hand-washing and dress code policies."

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said the report raised "serious concerns that NHS Fife has still failed to learn the lessons of recent outbreaks of C. difficile".

Ms Baillie added: "There is simply no excuse for patients being given stained bed linen or contaminated mattresses.

"I want to see immediate action from the Scottish Government and the hospital authorities to address the issues raised by the inspectors.

"Patients should have an absolute right to be treated in clean and safe conditions."

An NHS Fife spokesman said: "We welcome the report from the HEI team following the recent announced visit to Queen Margaret Hospital.

"In particular we appreciate the positive comments made about standards and procedures identified in the report, this will be encouraging to staff who work hard to maintain a high level of service.

"We note the areas where improvement can be made and recognise that improvements can always be made in any process or service. We have in place an agreed action plan to take forward the recommendations made and, indeed, work has already commenced in all of them."

In 2008, 29 patients' deaths at Queen Margaret Hospital were linked to a C diff outbreak.

In August that year, a ward was shut down after seven patients were diagnosed with the infection.

Two months later, in October, another ward was shut after four patients contracted the disease.

WHAT WAS FOUND

Overall standard of cleanliness needs to be improved

Hand hygiene policies are not being followed strictly enough

Lack of attention to detail and varying levels of cleaning in different areas of the hospital

Worn and stained mattresses which do not meet required standards and need to be replaced

NHS dress code not being adhered to by medical staff

Procedures for disposing of potentially dangerous medical waste in sharps bins not being correctly followed

Some staff to attend retraining courses in order to make sure NHS hygiene procedures are followed