Children's Hospital 'Had Kept No A&E Department Cleaning Records Since Opening'

16 November 2016, 15:26

A health watchdog found that the emergency department of a new children's hospital had not kept domestic cleaning records since it opened in summer last year.

The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, built on the site of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, was inspected by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) in an unannounced visit.

Inspection teams found staff hand hygiene and infection control precautions were good but were critical of cleaning and monitoring of the accident-and-emergency (A&E) department.

In the report, inspectors from HEI, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: ''There was no domestic cleaning or domestic cleaning supervision records for the accident-and-emergency department.

''The deputy facilities manager explained that there had been no recording of this information since the hospital opened.

''We were told that all domestic cleaning records in the hospital were electronic.

''However, this electronic system had not been put in place in the accident-and-emergency department.''

Inspectors also reported dust on high surfaces in the A&E department and that the infection prevention and control team had not audited the department since the hospital opened in July 2015.

The report added: ''We saw that the accident-and-emergency department was being cleaned according to incorrect cleaning code. This resulted in the department not being cleaned or monitored as frequently as it should have been.''

No recommendations were issued but the report did issue two requirements, the first of which related to cleanliness.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was required to provide a safe and clean environment in the A&E department and ensure high levels are clean to minimise the risk of cross-infection

The report said the A&E department should be cleaned and monitored with national cleaning specifications and senior charge nurses informed of the domestic monitoring results.

Inspectors also required the hospital to ensure all used mop heads were appropriately bagged to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.

Claire Sweeney, interim director of quality assurance for Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said staff adhered to standard infection control precautions while carrying out their duties.

She added: ''However, we identified issues around cleanliness in the accident-and-emergency department.

''The NHS board has drawn up an action plan to address these issues. We will continue to monitor the cleanliness of Royal Hospital for Children at future inspections.''

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it had already taken steps to deal with the two requirements.

A spokesman said: ''We have already taken steps to address the two requirements identified by the inspectors during their visit in September and have put in place increased cleaning and monitoring in the emergency department.

''We have also, as an interim measure, procured heavy-duty water bags to transport used mop heads while a new procedure is developed involving the use of disposable mop heads.

''We are delighted that the inspectors found good compliance in a number of areas including infection prevention and control, hand hygiene and the uniform policy.''