INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue No5 July August - Sept Oct 2009 What s New in issue 5? Education and Training on Influenza A (HINI) Pandemic Preparedness Plan A(H1N1) Vaccination Clinics for Healthcare Workers MWRH Limerick Update from Mid-Western Orthopaedic Hospital Croom Update from Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital Update from the Hygiene Services Committee Mid-Western Regional Hospital Dooradoyle A(H1N1) Education and Training on Influenza A (HINI) Pandemic Preparedness Plan General training on A (HINI) has been provided by the Infection Prevention & Control Nurses, which commenced in August to Mid October Trainers on A (HINI) have also been trained by the IP&CN and should be known to staff in each clinical area and also to other health care groups e.g. Porters, Cleaning Attendants etc. It is the responsibility of each individual health care staff member to ensure that they are aware of the precautions to take in preventing the transmission of A (HINI) and also protecting oneself in the correct donning and removal of protective clothing. A yellow folder has been supplied to each clinical area/ department with specific relevant information on A (HINI). Please do not add to this folder as this is for the use of the Infection Prevention & Control team in providing further information. Adequate supplies (PPE) for managing A (HINI) cases should be available in each clinical area, contact Mike Costello ext 3404. A (H1N1) Posters are displayed throughout the hospital to raise staff and general public awareness on A. (HINI). If you require any posters for your area contact IP&C secretary Ext 2523 from 09, 00.to 13, 00. The Infection Prevention & Control Team have decided that yellow is the colour for HINI and a designated area should be identified in each clinical area for supplies information etc. Fail to Prepare, prepare to fail!! HSE 24hr Flu Information: 1800 94 11 00 www.swineflu.ie www.hpsc.ie 1 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5
Surveillance Infection Prevention & Control glass cabinets have been erected in all wards. Rates of alert bacteria isolated from patients on each ward will be displayed in these cabinets as well as hygiene audit data, an empiric antimicrobial treatment table and other information that will hopefully engender greater ownership of infection control at individual ward level. It is hoped to generate league tables between wards which should generate a competitive element leading to overall improvement in hygiene standards. New Bin Labels New bin labels have been supplied (to the MWRHs) for use on Healthcare Non-Risk Waste (white) bins and Healthcare Risk Waste (yellow) bins. In future, signage on new bins will come pre-sprayed by the company. Please ensure that waste is correctly segregated into Risk and Non- Risk Waste in your respective areas. Any areas that require bin labels please contact IP&C secretary (48)2523 from 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs. New Bin Labels Infection Prevention & Control Team 2 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5
A(H1N1) Information Update The Mid-Western Regional Hospitals have completed a plan for the three hospials (MWRH Limerick, MWR Orthopaedic Hospital Croom, MWR Maternity Hospital) to ensure the hospital is prepared for a pandemic surge. A copy of this plan is available from your Line Manager. A(H1N1) Information on Staff Vaccinations The Pandemic A(H1N1) Vaccination Programme for Healthcare Workers Confirmed Vaccination Clinics for Healthcare Workers on: Friday 6 th November from 10:00hrs 14:00hrs in OPD1 Room 3 MWRHL Monday 9 th November from 07:30hrs 16:00hrs in Discharge Lounge MWRHL Tuesday 10 th November from 10:00hrs 14:00hrs in OPD1 Room 3 Friday 13 th November from 09:30hrs 14:00hrs in OPD1 Room 3 Tuesday 17 th November from 10:00hrs 14:00hrs in OPD1 Friday 20 th November from 10:00hrs 14:00hrs in OPD1 Staff will be notified of other dates and times when confirmed. Brid Boyce Quality & Accreditation Manager (Network Pandemic Co-ordinator) 3 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5
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Mid-Western Regional Orthopaedic Hospital Croom Update Catering Department Croom Orthopaedic hospital has the recipe for culinary success after finishing second in a food survey of public hospitals nationwide. According to the survey carried out by patients in 68 public and private hospitals on www.irishhealth.com Rate My Hospital facility, Croom Orthopaedic received 83 percent. Full article can be accessed on www.limerickleader.ie published 24/09/09 The above article is supported by ongoing internal audits carried out by the catering department and with support of Louise Reid Clinical Audit Department, The following are the results of an audit carried out on the 12/05/09 where a total of 43 patients completed the questionnaire that included the following questions: V Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor Variety of food available 83.7% 16.3% --- --- --- Quality of food 83.7% 16.3% --- --- --- Quality of hot beverages 69.8% 23.3% 2.3% --- --- Cleanliness of Catering tray 93.0% 7.0% --- --- --- Appearance of Catering Personnel 93.0% 7.0% --- --- --- Was your cutlery clean 84.4% 11.6% --- --- --- Presentation Mid-Western Regional 90.7% Maternity 9.3% Hospital --- Update --- --- Temperature 79.1% 18.6% 2.3% --- --- Were the staff helpful/friendly 97.7% 2.3% --- --- --- Did we meet your expectation today 100% --- --- --- --- Here are a sample of some of the comments received; Highest of standards ; I am very pleased with the quality and presentation of food ; Staff most helpful. Skills VEC Training Fetac 5 The Skills programme commenced in 2006 and continues to be rolled out. This is a training programme for support staff which aims to provide life long learning and continuous staff development. Two members of staff are nearing completion of their course and one member of our staff is receiving his FETAC award on Saturday 7th at Malberry House Hotel, Douglas, Cork. Congratulations! Two attendant staff commenced the programme in 2009. Joan Broderick ADON 6 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5
Croom Hospital's proud recipients of Cleanpass - Champions of hygiene Management at the Mid-Western Regional Orthopaedic Hospital, Croom, Co. Limerick has begun the process of training their support staff in CLEANPASS. Congratulations are due to the first group to successfully complete this unique training programme specially devised for those working in a healthcare support role. Each qualified participant receives a unique CLEANPASS ID card which, when worn, indicates to the public, employers and colleagues alike, the certified high standard of training they have attained. These support staff at Croom will take great pride in wearing this symbol of their credentials. Nationally recognised standard of excellence CLEANPASS is a nationally recognised training program for support staff working in healthcare facilities in Ireland. The 3 day training program covers all aspects of healthcare hygiene including but not limited to: the dangers of dust, infection control, HCAI s, health and safety aspects for support staff, practical cleaning tasks as well as chemical training and hygiene audits. CLEANPASS training has been developed to mirror National best practice and Standards set out by HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority). The training is accredited by FETAC and participants gain a unique CLEANPASS ID card as well as their FETAC Level 3 Component Certificate. Participants on CLEANPASS training found it interesting, informative and empowering. A most useful part of the course I found was infection control and to know why we must clean properly and what can be improved in the audit. I found the cleaning of equipment the most useful part of the course as this can sometimes be overlooked. I enjoyed everything about the course. The course was also observed by Joan Broderick (Assistant Director of Nursing) who made the following observation: This is a very well thought out course. It links all the principles of cleaning, infection control, safety measures and HSE standards I enjoyed the simplicity of the contents, the very basics of cleaning and the prevention of cross infection.the most useful part of the course was the practical parts and the involvement of all staff. The tutor sought participation from all participants. Joan Broderick, Assistant Director of Nursing CLEANPASS training positively impacts in the following areas: Raises the awareness of the importance of hygiene to those working on the ground in the healthcare industry. Ensures that all support staff receive appropriate hygiene and infection control training. Makes a positive contribution to the prevention and control of the spread of healthcare associated infections (HCAI). Croom Orthopaedic Hospital has benefited from its training of support staff in CLEANPASS by an improved culture of safety and hygiene health awareness. There will be a reduction in cleaning-related cross-contamination because of improved infection prevention and control awareness. There will also be a dramatic reduction in lost time due to incidents / accidents. The 2 nd cohort of attendants have begun training on the 5 th November 2009. A total of 20 staff will have received Cleanpass training in 2009. Plans are currently being put in place to roll out further training in 2010. 7 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5
Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital Update Introduction of Plated Meal System at the Mid Western Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick A plated meal system was introduced at the Mid Western Regional Maternity Hospital in February 2007. Previously meals were plated at ward level with little or no choice available for patients. We operate on a four week menu cycle and all our meals are cooked to order by qualified personnel. Meals are now plated in the catering department and brought to the wards in a Burlodge Novaflex food trolley with a built in HACCP data recording system. This advanced meal delivery system ensures that patients are receiving the best possible food temperatures at the point of service - all on a single attractive tray with matching crockery. The lunch menu now includes a starter, main course and desert. There is a choice of three main courses one of which is a vegetarian option and a choice of hot or cold starter and desert. The main improvements with this system include accurate temperature and proper heat cycle settings. Correct usage ensures that high quality moist food is presented to our patients. A menu system ensures there is food choice and requests for special diets are facilitated. Food temperature probing is no longer a practice at ward level. This is done in the main kitchen prior to collection of the food trolley. The temperatures are downloaded from the trolley on to the computer and are held on file. Significant training and follow up support has been provided to staff on correct usage and transportation of the trolleys to ensure safe moving and handling of the equipment. This was facilitated by Ian Barry of Combico and John Walker of Burlodge who have provided an excellent service and ensured the transition to the new system has gone very smoothly. In order to evaluate the new system questionnaires were distributed to 74 patients from February-March 2009. The response rate was 97per cent Aspects surveyed included food presentation, standard of hygiene, special diet catered for and choice. The overall satisfaction rate among respondents was 98.5per cent. When asked how satisfied they were with food presentation, 70per cent of respondents were very satisfied and 30per cent were satisfied. When asked about hygiene standards related to the meal system 80per cent of respondents stated that they were very satisfied and 20per cent were satisfied. With regard to special diets/requests being catered for, 86.5per cent of respondents were very satisfied and 13.5per cent were satisfied. Clearly there is a high satisfaction rate with catering services at the Mid Western Regional Maternity Hospital and changes in practice have proven to be very worthwhile both for patients and staff. Catering staff have reported more pride in their work, recognition for their efforts through patient feedback, opportunity to try new recipes and baking of teatime treats for the patients. These comments were also mirrored in a recent consumer panel held at the hospital. The Catering Department has also recently been recertified with the Happy Heart at work award following an assessment by the Irish Heart Foundation. Eileen Ronan CMM3 Angela Holton Catering Manager Maria Gibbons HPH Co-ordinator 8 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5
Upskilling of Support Staff Working in Hygiene at MWRMH Cleanpass Cleaning Skills Training: In response to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Hygiene Audit in 2008 Cleanpass Cleaning Skills Training was rolled out to attendant staff in 2009. Cleaning Skills Training is a three day course developed specifically to cater for cleaning support staff. It was developed using current Irish Hygiene Standards, HSE and SARI Guidelines. Course content includes the theory of breaking the chain of infection, correct cleaning methods, use of cleaning products and equipment, hand hygiene. The practical sessions included demonstration of cleaning of equipment, bathrooms, floors and the use of cleaning schedules. Prior to training, Cleanpass undertook a hygiene audit of the hospital and plan to return in October to assess the environment as part of the evaluation process of the training. Staff who complete the course receive a FETAC level 3 component certificate and a Champion of Hygiene identity card. In May and June 27 ward attendants and 3 health care assistants successfully completed the course. Feedback from attendant staff included: Being made aware of how important our jobs and being shown how to do it more effectively I thought the course was excellent, content was excellent and informative The presentations and tutors were very good I thought it was very good, although some bits were a bit boring Eight Clinical Midwifery Managers also attended the training as observers. To enhance hygiene standards these managers review cleaning schedules and practises within the clinical areas. Feedback from midwifery managers included: All information received was excellent and the proper ways of cleaning was most relevant and useful Must attend course for managers and all hygiene personnel Already noticeable improvement in team work In July in-service training (1 day) was provided to our casual / relief student attendants. This day was facilitated by both Midwifery Managers and Ward Attendants who had undertaken the training. Their training included: Aspects of correct use Hygiene of cleaning products Services and equipment. Committee How to clean shower/bathroom area Cleaning of incubators The correct use of spill kit. The role of HIQA The importance of Hygiene Audits. SKILL VEC Training: In September 2009, 3 Ward Attendant have commenced the Securing Knowledge Intra Lifelong Learning (SKILL) training programme, FETAC Level 5. On behalf of all the staff at MWRMH, we wish to congratulate the staff who successfully completed the Cleaning skills training (Cleanpass ) FETAC Level 3 course. Good luck to the staff on the SKILL programme. Eileen Ronan A/ADOM 9 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5
HYGIENE EMAIL SERVICE USE IT! Please remember that the email address of hygienedooradoyle@hse.ie is available for all staff members in the hospital to report hygiene issues they are concerned about. On October 1 st 2009 the report template was emailed to all staff, so it is important that it is used. If you want the template sent to you again, simply contact the above address. So, by simply listing your name, extension number, location, and the hygiene-related issue you wish to report you will be sent a reference number that can be used for you to follow the progress and status of your complaint. Of course matters of concern should continue to be reported to your Line Manager in the usual way, but this is another useful outlet for staff that we hope you will utilise for its trial period of October 2009 to March 2010. Thank you. Hygiene Services Committee INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Welcome all comments and views. You can feedback your comments or views to any member of the Hygiene Services Committee or the Management Team conducting audits in your area. If you would like to submit an article for the INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS please submit same to Annette Cotter, Quality Accreditation Department Mid- Western Regional Hospital. 10 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL NEWS Issue 5