Infection Control

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Infection Control at the RNOH

Prevention and control of Healthcare Associated Infection’s (HCAIs) is a key priority at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH).

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust is responsible for the prevention and control of infection within its services. It does this by doing all it can to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infections to patients, staff and visitors.

Since the client group and operations within the Trust are considered high risk for infection. Evidence based protocols are used to assist clinical practice and appropriate resources are employed to ensure a clean and safe environment. These are integral to the Trust’s overall clinical governance agenda and are subject to constant review.

The Health and Social Care Act 2006 (amended in 2008) has set a duty to ensure that systems to prevent HCAIs and compliance with policies are embedded in practice and are a corporate responsibility. This is a duty RNOH accepts and excercises fully. Infection Prevention and Control and the implementation of the Health and Social Care Act 2006 (amended in 2008) remain a high priority for the RNOH.

As part of our ongoing focus on preventing infections such as MRSA and clostridium difficile, we work hard to minimise other healthcare associated infections such as surgical site infections and urinary infections.

Our ongoing initiatives to prevent and reduce cross infection include promoting hand hygiene compliance for staff, patients and visitors.This is in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The RNOH has a zero-tolerance approach to poor hand hygiene and failure to adopt best practices. Hand wash sinks and alcohol handgel are available throughout wards and departments. We actively promote the use of alcohol hand gel in all clinical areas by staff, patients and visitors – alcohol gel/rub is also situated at the end of each bed.

The robust surveillance programme to monitor infections ensures staff are made aware of trends, risk factors and clusters to ensure appropriate measures are taken at the earliest possible time to prevent avoidable infections.

In line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the RNOH has an appropriately constituted Infection Prevention and Control Team to provide expertise, knowledge and support to encourage and enable members of staff working across the trust to enhance and sustain their performance in ensuring patient safety by preventing avoidable infections.