NO cleaning records were kept in the emergency department of a new state-of-the-art children’s hospital – because digital systems had not been put in place.
The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) discovered records at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow were missing from the date of opening last summer.
The facility, built on the southside site of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, replaces the former Yorkhill hospital in the west end of the city and cares for children from as far afield as Gourock, Alexandria, Neilston, and Milngavie.
In an unannounced visit, inspection teams found staff hand hygiene and infection control precautions were good.
However, cleaning and monitoring records for cleaning in the casualty department were missing. Staff said this was because computer systems had not been set up.
Inspectors said: “There were no domestic cleaning or domestic cleaning supervision records for the accident and emergency department.
“The deputy facilities manager explained that there had been no recording of this information since the hospital opened.
“We were told that all domestic cleaning records in the hospital were electronic.
“However, this electronic system had not been put in place in the accident and emergency department.”
Inspectors also reported dust on high surfaces in the A&E department and that the infection prevention and control team had not audited the department since the hospital opened in July 2015.
The report added: “We saw that the accident and emergency department was being cleaned according to an incorrect cleaning code.
“This resulted in the department not being cleaned or monitored as frequently as it should have been.”
No recommendations were issued but the report did issue two requirements, the first of which related to cleanliness.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was required to provide a safe and clean environment in the A&E department and ensure high levels are clean to minimise the risk of cross-infection.
The report said the A&E department should be cleaned and monitored with national cleaning specifications and senior charge nurses informed of the domestic monitoring results.
Inspectors also required the hospital to ensure all used mop heads were appropriately bagged to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.
Claire Sweeney, interim director of quality assurance for Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “We will continue to monitor the cleanliness of Royal Hospital for Children.”
A health board spokesman said: “We have already taken steps to address the two requirements identified by the inspectors during their visit in September and have put in place increased cleaning and monitoring in the emergency department.
“We have also, as an interim measure, procured heavy-duty water bags to transport used mop heads while a new procedure is developed involving the use of disposable mop heads.
“We are delighted that the inspectors found good compliance in a number of areas including infection prevention and control, hand hygiene and the uniform policy.”
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