Infection Control

We are serious about your health

The recent publicity about hospital acquired infection has caused a great deal of concern across the country. In this Hospice, we take very seriously our policies to reduce the risk of infection. Members of the public have contacted the Infection Control Nurse Association (ICNA) to ask what they can do to reduce their risk of acquring an infection while they are in-patients of while they are visiting friends and relatives. The following is the advice provided by the ICNA:

Keeping your hands and body clean are important. Take personal toiletries including soap and a clean flannel with you.
Taking a container of moist hand-wipes with you will ensure you always have some available when you need to clean your hands.
Men should bring their own razor so they can shave, rather than rely on the ward providing one.
Ensure you wash your hands after using the toilet.
If you use a commode ask for a bowl of water to wash your hands, or use a moist hand-wipe after someone has used the commode, but do not be afraid to ask if the nurse does not offer.
Always wash your hands or clean them with a hand-wipe immediately before you eat your meal.
Many hospitals provide a moist hand-wipe on the meal tray, but often people use it after they have eaten. Use it at the start of the meal to ensure your hands are clean before you eat.
Hospice staff can help protect you by washing their hands, or by cleaning them with special alcohol rubs or gels. If a member of staff needs to examine you or perform a procedure, do not be afraid to ask if they have first washed their hands or used an alcohol rub or gel.
Try to keep the top of your locker and bed table reasonably free from clutter. Too many things left on top make it more difficult for the cleaning staff to clean your locker and bed table properly.
If you visit the bathroom or toilet, if you are concerned that it does not look clean, please report this immediately to the nurse in charge of the ward. Request it is cleaned before you use it, and use an alternative (if available) in the meantime.
Your bed area should be cleaned regularly. If you or your visitors see something that has been missed during cleaning please report if to the nurse in charge and request that it is cleaned.
Always wear something on your feet when walking around in the Hospice. A comfortable pair of slippers is fine, but make sure they have some grip on the bottom as floors can be a little slippery sometimes.

If you have any concerns about infection risks please do discuss these with the nurses.