We take health care associated infection (HCAI’s) seriously and make all attempts to minimise the risk of transmission of infection.
The infection prevention and control (IPC) team are a group of specialist nurses who provide advice and support on infection prevention and control.
To reduce the possibility of infection there are a number of methods we have in place:
- All health care premises are busy environments caring for patients who have a wide variety of needs. While you are in health care premises you can expect the environment to be clean and tidy.
- Education, training and information to staff, service users and visitors.
- Regular monitoring of infections and incidents.
- Monitor standards.
Our staff also protect you by washing their hands with soap and water or by using an alcohol gel. If a member of staff needs to examine you or perform a procedure, do not be afraid to ask if they have washed their hands.
HCAIs are infections resulting from patients receiving a medical treatment or interventions in a range of healthcare settings which may be acquired by or transmitted to a patient in or out of hospital. Many HCAIs are avoidable and everyone involved in patient care can contribute to the reduction in HCAIs.
The infection prevention and control team’s aim is to minimise the risks of infection to all patients who receive care or treatment or have contact with our services, by limiting people picking up and spreading micro-organisms.
When you’re at any of our hospitals or sites as a patient or visitor, there are a number of ways you can help reduce the spread of infection and keep the environment clean.
Visitors
Please do not bring any infection in with you. If you have an infection such as a cold or diarrhoea, try not to visit until you are completely better. Do not sit or lie on a patient’s bed, please use the chairs that are provided. Please help us keep the environment clean and tidy.
Patients
- Please keep your room reasonably free of objects to help the housekeeping staff keep the environment clean. If you or your visitors are concerned that something has not been cleaned please tell the ward staff and they will attend to it as soon as possible.
- Keeping your hands and body clean are important when you are in health care premises. If you’re coming to stay in one of our hospitals bring with you personal toiletries, including a clean flannel. We provide soap. Men should bring their own razor.
- Make sure you always wash your hands or use a hand wipe after using the toilet and before meals. Having a container of moist wipes with you will mean you always have something available when you need to clean your hands.
- Always wear something on your feet when walking around our premises and leave them on the floor when you’re not wearing them.
- You should expect to find clean bath and shower facilities. Please ask nursing staff if you need cleaning equipment for the bath or shower after your own personal use. This is often kept separate for health and safety reasons.
If you are worried about any infections or have any concerns about the cleanliness of the ward or unit, please speak to a member of staff. You can ask to speak to the unit matron.
Our infection prevention and control (IPC) team
We have a nominated director of infection prevention and control, who also holds the position of director of nursing and governance. The director of infection prevention and control chairs our infection prevention and control committee which monitors significant infection prevention and control activity and makes sure our board is aware of any relevant issues.
For further information please contact:
Infection prevention and control nurse (Durham)
Telephone: 0191 333 6343
Infection prevention and control nurse (Middlesbrough)
Telephone: 01642 451535
Elizabeth Moody, director of IPC and nursing and governance
Telephone: 0191 333 6533
The infection prevention and control team provides practical, clinical advice and guidance to staff and patients on related issues. This team operates in a number of areas across the Trust.
- Education – providing a source of expertise to clinical and non-clinical staff, visitors and patients on all aspects of infection.
- Audit – we monitor aspects of care, for example: nursing practice, quality of cleaning and handwashing.
- Surveillance – monitoring trends and increases of HCAI’s.
- Advice – to patients, healthcare workers by phone, in person and email.
- Outbreaks – investigating causes of outbreaks and day to day advice on prevention and suppression.
- Policies – writing policies and procedures surrounding infection prevention and control with cooperation from clinical teams.
