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Care Opinion

Standard hygiene practices

Posted By Community member

"Standard hygiene practices"

About: Peninsula Private Hospital

(as a staff member posting for a carer/relative),

Attention infection control team. Concerns regarding PPE and hand hygiene practices at Peninsula Private Hospital Frankston during stage 4 COVID restrictions. 5 moments of hand hygiene is not being observed and unsafe mask handling and use are noted.

As a fellow nurse, based on my observations, in my opinion, it is evident re-education of safe PPE and hand hygiene practices for staff at Peninsula Private is warranted across the workforce. I hope this feedback helps us to support each other, especially during the current COVID pandemic. 

Examples. 

1. Admin staff, it seemed they were forgetting to don a mask - speaking with patients and staff in person, unmasked.

2. Surgical nurses readjusting hair, and, in my opinion, ill-fitting masks, inappropriate glove use and I believe insufficient hand hygiene practices.

3. Transit staff I believe were not undertaking hand hygiene moments when moving beds/equipment between patients. 

4. It seemed pathology nurses may have been cross-contaminating via inappropriate glove use during patient contact. 

5. No access to hand sanitiser inside patient rooms for staff or patient use, in my opinion, is a health concern, especially those bed-bound around unable to wash hands prior to meals, after toileting etc. 

6. I believe there was inconsistent compliance with wipe down of obs machines/pulse oximeter between patients.

7. It seems the same self-supplied patient mask donned on admission is reapplied post-surgery by staff (rather than a new, clean mask applied). In my opinion, questionable, in the context of mask storage, handling and timeframe of use - effectiveness/contamination risks to the patient.

8. Unsafe disposal of patient masks by nursing staff in my opinion. I believe left on table surfaces in the patient rooms.

We are in this together. Thank you for reviewing practices and compliance at this site. 

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Responses

Response from Care Opinion 3 years ago
Care Opinion

Submitted on 3/09/2020 at 10:30 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 10:34 AM

This response is submitted by Care Opinion on behalf of Peninsula Private Hospital.

Dear Community member,

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review to bring your observations to our attention. I completely agree with your comment that we must all work together to support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. I can assure you that the safety and wellbeing of our patients, staff and doctors are always our highest priority and I would like to provide you with some information which I hope will address the concerns you have outlined:

• We have developed and implemented robust infection prevention and control protocols, comprehensive pandemic management plans, education and training for staff, and many other resources which we are constantly updating and reviewing to ensure compliance with new advice from the state and federal governments.

• All staff have undertaken PPE (including mask fitting) education and competencies assessments, which are regularly updated by the education team.

• Peninsula Private Hospital has Personal Protective Equipment Supervisors roles throughout the hospital. This role was created as a result of the pandemic to monitor the PPE that staff are wearing and provide on-the-spot support and education.

• We have implemented the use of spotters when a patient is in precautions; this role is to support the care team when donning and doffing to ensure that the correct processes are being followed and to ensure consistency.

• Staff members are required to complete a PPE competency assessment which includes mask fitting and N95 mask fit checking.

• Managers will be reminding staff that the only circumstances under which they are without a mask is when they are changing it if it becomes soiled, after 4 hours of wearing it, or when they are having a meal break.

• New staff members or staff members from other sites have an orientation package available that supports their time at Peninsula Private Hospital.

• Our strict infection prevention and control practices include the mandatory wearing of masks for staff/ doctors, visitors and patients (when outside of their room; patients are also strongly encouraged to wear a mask when receiving care or when a staff member is announcing they need to enter the room).

• We are currently undertaking the routine Period 3 hand hygiene audit; to date, there are no areas of concern shown in the auditing process. The auditing process is used as a teaching opportunity in addition to formal education. If practice is observed that requires correction, this is addressed with the staff member at the time.

• Staff may readjust hair if it will prevent an infection control breach that would have occurred had they not adjusted it I.e. hanging in the face, causing them to always touch it.

• All patient rooms have handwashing facilities that staff and patients can utilise for optimal hand hygiene. Nursing staff are able to provide face washers and also individual hand hygiene wipes for patients who are bed-bound.

• Mask disposal is in the routine general waste bins either in the patient rooms or ward waste bins.

• Recent communication has been sent to nurse unit managers about the importance of cleaning machines in between patients and having sufficient supply of neutral detergent wipes available around the ward. In addition, we have developed a comprehensive cleaning schedule to ensure frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces.

• We have implemented a procedure that requires a new mask to be fitted onto the patient (if not done in theatre) as soon as they arrive into PACU/ day surgery where practicable. Patients’ own masks are never used.

• We have ensured the availability of hand sanitiser in every patient room.

I would be happy to discuss this topic personally with you at any time. I can be reached on 97888 3602 or rivettw@ramsayhealth.com.au

Sincerely,

Warren Rivett

Director of Clinical Services

Peninsula Private Hospital

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