12:48pm Friday 18th January 2008
CREWE'S Leighton Hospital is investing almost £50,000 as part of a nationwide initiative on hospital cleaning.
A specialist cleaning team has been drafted in by the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, to deep clean a wealth of equipment, including drip stands, hoists, trolleys and commodes, at a cost of £36,000.
In addition, £11,000 will be invested in deep cleaning areas of wards used for preparing dressings, intravenous infusions, medication and other clinical tasks.
Kitchen areas will also undergo the same thorough cleaning, along with curtains, radiators and even ceilings.
The exercise is part of the Department of Health's Deep Clean programme, which aims to encourage pre-emptive, rather than reactive measures in relation to the management of healthcare-acquired infections such as MRSA and clostridium difficile.
All NHS acute trusts were asked to submit an individual action plan identifying deep clean areas, and how the process would be carried out.
Each organisation was then tasked with completing its plan by the end of March.
The hospital's deputy director of nursing and quality Jayne Hartley said: "We began our deep clean at the end of last month, and I am confident we will complete our plan of action by the end of March, as required.
"Our own cleaning supervisors are overseeing the work of the specialist cleaning team to ensure it meets our high standards.
"This deep clean is very much an additional precaution to all the regular cleaning by our domestic staff, who ensure our wards are kept spotless and equipment is thoroughly cleaned after use by individual patients.
"Additionally, we are planning to extend the programme by spending a further £61,000 deep cleaning the bed areas of all our wards.
"This will take place over the summer, when we can close the necessary areas with less disruption to patients, as there is reduced demand on our inpatient facilities compared to winter."
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