Minimising the risk of hospital acquired infections is of paramount importance to our Hospital. We have strict guidelines in place for patient screening and surveillance, ongoing staff training in hospital hygiene as well as the use of advanced cleaning techniques. The Hospital is supported by an Infection Control Team who ensure we maintain these high standards continuously.
It is standard policy at the Hospital to screen all patients for MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - on admission. MRSA is an organism which can be present on the skin or within the nasal passages of healthy individuals. It is relatively uncommon, however it can present problems, for example with wound healing if not strictly monitored, isolated and controlled. Patients found to be carrying MRSA are administered the appropriate antibiotics by the Infection Control Team - consisting of a specially trained nurse and skilled microbiologists.
The Hospital fully complies with National Guidelines and Protocols issued from the Department of Health and the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence for the prevention and control of infection.
Infection rates at King Edward VII's Hospital Sister Agnes
To date, King Edward VII's Hospital Sister Agnes has had zero incidences of hospital acquired MRSA and C-difficile. Factors that contribute to our high quality record include:
Individual rooms with private en-suite facilities for almost all patients before and after any treatment or operation, unless the specialist resources of high dependency or intensive care are necessary.
High nurse to patient ratios, increasing the time available for individual attention and ensuring the highest quality of care and hygiene.
On-site cleaning staff who work to high specifications of hygiene and cleanliness, available 24 hours every day to respond to any need thatmay arise.
A rapid and comprehensive room cleaning regime between the discharge of one patient and the admission of the next.
Where possible, single use disposable equipment is used. In other circumstances, equipment is decontaminated following agreed National Protocols. The decontamination process involves cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of equipment. All stages of the process are performed by highly skilled personnel and are subject to ongoing review by our expert advisors.
For further information on MRSA or C-Difficile click here.
