Sherwood Forest Hospitals has once again given their support to International Infection Prevention and Control Week by spreading the message on how to keep healthcare associated infections at bay.

International Infection Prevention and Control Week is held every year during the third week in October. It aims to highlight and promote the work that healthcare staff do in relation to the prevention of healthcare associated infection in order to keep patients, staff and visitors safe.

Healthcare-associated infections can affect patients in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. The term covers a wide range of infections; the most well-known include those caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff.).

This year the Trust’s awareness week focussed on decontamination. Specialist nurses were on hand throughout the week at King’s Mill Hospital showcasing their innovations and improvements put in place to control the spread of infection.

Rosie Dixon, Nurse Consultant for Infection Prevention and Control at the Trust, said: “Services often carry on in the background of day to day hospital life but play a vital role in the prevention of infection. Decontamination covers a wide range of actions from day to day decontamination of the environment by domestic teams, through to laundry and sterilisation of equipment.”

The Trust aims to make great strides in reducing infections, including:

· The introduction of an improved hydrogen peroxide vapour system, which gives a higher level of decontamination than manual cleaning alone

· Daily cleaning solutions have been changed to compounds which are proven to be active against C. diff.

· Ensuring each ward has a thorough and regular deep clean, including every wall, floor and surface

· Enhanced staff training in ways to avoid infection.

Rosie added: “We are also urging patients and visitors to help us reduce the spread of infection. We can unknowingly spread germs on our hands to others and the environment.

“Hand hygiene is the simplest way to prevent the spread of germs; everyone should wash their hands carefully with soap and water or use antibacterial hand gel upon entering hospital. Visitors should also reconsider coming into hospital if they have an illness such as a cough, cold or gastroenteritis.

“We have seen a recent improvement as a result of the many initiatives and procedures in place. However, this is an ongoing challenge and there is still much more to be done to ensure that we continually improve and minimise the risk to patients.”