20 April 2007

Bugwatch at Daisy Hill Hospital

The Southern Health & Social Services Council (SHSSC) has maintained its interest in healthcare associated infection (HCAIs) by recently carrying out a Bugwatch visit to Daisy Hill Hospital. The Bugwatch survey, which involves observing ward hygiene at the hospital and completing a checklist, produced excellent results, according to the SHSSC.

Mrs Lynne Cairns, Chairperson of the SHSSC, said after the visit, "Our team visited four wards and were most impressed by the standard of ward hygiene and the general environment provided by the hospital. The wards we visited were a credit to the hospital management, nursing and domestic staff. One patient told us that the hospital was like a 5* hotel. We know that Daisy Hill Hospital puts a great emphasis on a clean environment and has worked hard at carrying out regular environmental cleanliness audits. We are delighted to see that all this hard work producing benefits for patients by offering a high quality environment for medical care to take place."

Welcoming the survey, Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “I am very pleased to learn the positive findings of the Bugwatch survey which reflect the commitment of staff in Daisy Hill Hospital to providing a safe and clean environment for patients. Eric Bowyer the Trust’s former Chief Executive and his team were constantly raising infection control standards. This will remain a priority for the new Southern Trust.”

The SHSSC was established in 1991 to represent the views and opinions of the public matters relating to health and social care. Over recent years, with increased public concern about HCAIs, the SHSSC has visited local hospitals to observe ward hygiene. The SHSSC uses a checklist to observe hand washing, general cleanliness, the ward environment, waste disposal, storage of linen, care of equipment, disposal of sharps and information provided to patient and visitors about HCAIs.