Full steam ahead for new steam clean bed system
A new pilot is being run currently at Queen Alexandra Hospital where beds are receiving regular intensive decontamination using chlorine dioxide and steam in a bid to further reduce hospital infections.
Currently around 100 beds and trolleys are cleaned each day using the latest chlorine dioxide cleaning agent supplemented by a low pressure steam machine. Already we are seeing positive results, and it is hoped that this scheme will become permanent across the whole of the hospital.
How do we know it is working?
The beds are tested using a swabbing technique that measures the amount of organic matter (dirt) on a bed – which is often invisible to the naked eye. When beds come to the cleaning area, the swab results are usually around 200 but can be higher. However they are only released after cleaning if the reading is less than 30 (a grade recognised as a catering standard). All clean beds are then finished with fresh linen, including a ‘I am clean’ indicator tape and satisfaction card and made available for patient use
‘We are thrilled by the results we have seen in the short period of time the pilot has been running’, says Matthew Richardson, Senior Nurse for Infection Prevention. ‘Patients and staff have been very enthusiastic above the service and we aim in future to be able to guarantee every patient a super-cleaned bed. We hope this will give everyone confidence in our hospital and the care we provide.’
While our infection rates have remained low in 2011/12, we strive to be the best hospital and provide the best care for our patients so we can continue to reduce hospital infections to boost patient and staff satisfaction. Last year alone MRSA infections were down to only five, and we ended the financial year 14% below our Cdiff target.
