Clean bill of health for hospital hygiene

NHS watchdog the Healthcare Commission carried out an unannounced visit to Chelsea and Westminster in August to check compliance with the Hygiene Code for the control and prevention of healthcare associated infections.

They have now formally confirmed that Chelsea and Westminster was fully compliant with duties including the need for:

• Appropriate management systems for infection prevention and control
• A clean and appropriate environment for healthcare
• Adequate isolation facilities for patients where appropriate

The Healthcare Commission’s independent verdict confirms that the Trust maintains high standards of infection control best practice.

Latest statistics published by the Health Protection Agency in October provide further evidence that patients at Chelsea and Westminster are safer than ever – there were just 15 cases of Clostridium difficile in patients aged 65 and over between April and June 2008 which represents a 50% reduction on the previous quarter.

Chelsea and Westminster is out-performing the NHS nationally in this area – there was a fall of only 18% in cases of Clostridium difficile in patients aged 65 and over between April and June 2008.

We have an excellent recent track record on infection control and cleanliness:

• 66% reduction in MRSA cases over three years—2004/05 to 2007/08
• Hygiene standards rated ‘Excellent’—National Patient Safety Agency 2008
• 90% of patients said their room or ward was clean—Patient Survey 2007

< Back to 2008 archive