The Healthcare Commission has launched the biggest inspection programme ever carried out in NHS acute Trusts to check whether they are meeting standards on infection control. It will inspect all 172 acute Trusts annually as part of a drive to: reduce death and illness from healthcare-associated infections, improve the experience of patients in hospital, and increase public confidence in the NHS. The programme was established at the request of the Secretary of State for Health.
During the inspections, the assessors will check the physical environment, interview staff, including cleaners, clinical staff and managers as well as observe whether policies are being put into practice.
The programme follows spot checks carried out at 120 acute NHS Trusts last year.
The Commission issued improvement notices to three Trusts after it found they had breached the hygiene code. Two of the improvement notices related to the use of bench top sterilisation equipment. The Commission stressed that the use of bench top sterilisers is not prohibited, but Trusts are required to ensure they have robust systems around their use.
