Hospital Cleaning Award

sponsored by Admiral Cleaning Supplies
Patients expect hospitals to be clean, and there is clear evidence of a tremendous improvement in cleanliness and infection control standards. This award acknowledges the efforts made by NHS organisations in recent years to raise standards in cleanliness and reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections.

2011 Winner

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital occupies a site of 68 acres with 130,000 sq metres of usable space and employs approximately 5700 staff. It prides itself on being one of the cleanest hospitals in the country, demonstrable through its PEAT Green excellent status for 5 consecutive years, CQC and environmental results which also reflective of its high patient experience ratings. In order to sustain and improve its cleaning concept, the Trust has introduced a variety of innovations including digital monitoring signs, Dyson air blades and electronic hand sanitisers. A 24 hour dedicated clinical response team is also on hand. These initiatives have played a role in decreasing infection rates as well as improving the visibility and credibility of the service. Health and Safety has also been significantly improved.

Commended

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Some of the key achievements at Leeds have been the appointment of its own IPC nurse and specific IPC Facilities supervisors. The Trust has introduced to all wards a second full clean, with 4 ‘touch point’ cleaning sessions which include door plates, dispensers, keyboards etc. This has been completed with no additional cost to the Trust by re-profiling other facilities services. A weekly clean of all patient shared equipment (commode & drip stands) helps support nursing colleagues in between patient use cleans. An expansive cleaning response service is requested online by the nursing staff and begins within 30 minutes of the request. This has seen the Trust’s cleaning score increase over time, no mean feat given its size and complexity. This has been borne out with excellent customer and Care Quality Commission feedback.

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has meaningfully integrated decontamination and cleaning methods, monitoring systems and workforce to improve patient safety through infection prevention and control. This approach included the introduction of hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) fogging equipment and a new specialist cleaning role named ‘Ward Hygienists’.  A ward decant programme is agreed with Senior Management, Infection Control and Nursing Staff which runs throughout of the year outside of intensive Winter/service pressure periods. All wards except Maternity, Children’s & ICU re-locate to the decant ward whilst theirs are cleaned. The Trust has significantly reduced its Clostridium Difficile figures since the introduction of the Hygienists and the first decant/deep cleaning programme in 2010.

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2010 Winner

Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust

Patient safety, including reducing the number of infections patients acquire when in hospital, remains the number one priority at Ipswich Hospital. A series of anti-infection measures have been introduced across all departments including reduced visiting times in a bid to stop the spread of infections, a new isolation ward, regular deep cleaning of wards and a major hand-washing campaign. Opened in 2008, The Garrett Anderson centre boosted the hospital’s infection control crackdown as it includes four isolation rooms where air pressure can be controlled to care for patients with or susceptible to infections. Each of the isolation rooms has an ante-chamber sterile area for gearing up, and enhanced ventilation. One has been designed for children and has space for a bed for their parent/carer. These are also linked to a sophistictated patient monitoring system. Patient Environment Action Team data reports a high level of cleanliness throughout the hospital. In the 2009/10 hospital year, there was a 49% fall in Clostridium difficile (C.diff) cases and a 25% reduction in MRSA bacteraemia. Ipswich Trust was also named by Doctor Fosters Research at its top medium sized hospitals trust for 2010.

Commended:
Torbay Care Trust
Over the past two years, there has be regeneration of the Paignton and Brixham hospital sites, with the ward facilities being dramatically improved and upgraded. To maintain its high standards, Torbay has appointed a specialist cleaning team which undertakes a deep clean of clinical areas every six months, or following any outbreak of infection. This is is in addition to its existing daily, routine cleaning schedule. Monthly Cleanliness and Environmental Audits are conducted by the Hospital Matrons and Hotel Service Manager. Both hospitals received excellent scores in all three categories of PEAT, and continue to receive top marks for cleanliness.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has a major cleaning requirement covering six sites, a multitude of wards and operating theatres, and a huge expanse of space. Regular reviews of cleaning were not reporting any particular problems but the Trust’s operations team believed that there was scope for improvement. The rollout of a new Cleaning Management System, incorporating appropriate equipment and training, means that Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is now cleaned in the most effective way possible – from a hygiene perspective and in terms of the time spent cleaning. Each area is thoroughly cleaned on a continual basis, with all floors scrubbed and polished using machines most appropriate to the surface and location.