Vic report shows a clean bill of health

The report by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate was published yesterday (Wednesday) following an inspection carried over two days in November and December last year.

It comes after a shocked hospital patient said she witnessed substandard hygiene practices despite complaining about cleanliness 18 months earlier to Victoria Hospital.

“I was sitting in a chair beside my bed waiting for test results when they put another patient in the bed without changing the sheets,” she said.

However the HEI report noted a number of areas of good practice, such as staff adherence to infection prevention and control precautions and cleanliness of equipment used in patient care.

All 16 patients interviewed by the inspection team said they felt ward areas were suitably clean.

The report noted a single area where action was required: identifying that discussions with patients about their risk of infection must be recorded in their patient record.

NHS Fife Chief Executive, Paul Hawkins said: “We are pleased that the report published today by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate commends the cleanliness of the hospital and recognises the diligence of staff who work tirelessly to ensure our patients are cared for in a clean, high quality and safe environment.

“We note also that there is scope to improve written documentation of conversations with patients about infection prevention and control. NHS Fife is committed to continually improving the standards of care we provide and measures are currently being put in place imminently to address this.”