Trusts failing hygiene

A quarter of NHS trusts in England are failing to meet at least one of the government’s standards on hygiene and cleaning.

Hygiene and cleaning is important in medical environements, and hygiene supplies, such as disposable gloves, disposable face masks and sprays, can help to improve standards.

The Healthcare Commission data, based on 391 trusts, found that 103 trusts were failing, with just under one third also failing to meet all 11 standards on hygiene last year. They also found there were no improvements since last year, despite the focus on cleanliness.

Of the 103 failing trusts, 57 were primary healthcare trusts, which are responsible for care outside of hospitals, including community hospitals, where it found most problems were.

One of the main problem areas was decontamination, with primary care trusts making up two thirds of the 70 trusts failing to meet the acceptable standards, mainly because of inadequate processes.

Despite these figures, the Healthcare Commission also looked at safety, dignity in care and hospital food at the same time, and found an overall improvement, with hospitals performing better than last year, but primary care trusts not as good overall.

From April 2009, a new regulator, the Care Quality Commission, will be formed, combining the functions of the Healthcare Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection and Mental Health Act Commission.

The Care Quality Commission will enforce regulations that all trusts will have to meet specific standards on infection control, decontamination of equipment and cleanliness. If they fail to meet these standards, the Commission will prevent them from running particular services or close them down for a period of time.

Mobilis Healthcare is dedicated to offering high quality products to healthcare professionals and stocks a wide range of hygiene products, including wipes, sprays, and disposable gloves and face masks.