The Annual Deep Clean is the latest buzz that my antennae have picked up. Not before time, too, by the look of things!

But the thought occurs, what will be biomeds be doing during this period of "all hands to the pump"? Better start getting some extra policies and procedures written up, people!

Probably annual maintenance on equipment, here electric beds are treated like gold dust, the rumour was that when a patient got onto an electric bed it was still warm from the last patient! (obviously this was theoretical since the bed had been deep cleaned and prepared between patients)

Now they've bought new steam cleaners and the beds are taken away and steam cleaned. It does mean that it's now easier to get to a bed to service it, but the downside is that all lubrication is removed and we've noticed the plastic covers perishing. So now we can say our beds are Squeaky clean!

That is sounding very much like GCSE Rocket Science to me!!
Stop infections by keeping everything clean..... hhhhmmmmmmmmm

page 45 of the ``Read the findings``pdf in the BBC link makes particulary infectious reading on the maintenance and replacement regime of non-EBME equipment, ie Bed Pan washers. The complete report makes a case for total outsourcing of this NHS Trust, then the Contractor would be accountable directly to the Health Care Commission, not the taxpayer. This is because " National Minimum Standards for Regulations for Independent Healthcare " 2002 would apply. Theses are rigoursly enforced by the HCC.
C18.1 Equipment is installed, checked and serviced in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
C18.2 Equipment is not modified unless the manufacturer’s advice.
C18.3 All equipment conforms to current health and safety regulations and, where appropriate, there is a planned preventive maintenance and replacement programme.
OUTCOME
Patients receive treatment using equipment and supplies that are safe and in good condition.
CORE STANDARDS
C18.4 Records are kept of the maintenance and servicing of all equipment.

Thanks for that, reaper. Can we assume that you've found the time to wade through the complete report? If so, well done! Are those (good) clauses you cite a quote from the report, or from the HCC?

You see, you've got the advantage over me here, Mate. I'm not sure that I know what the Health Care Commission is! Care to enlighten us (me) on that one?

So, are we saying that there's a mechanism in place whereby a failing (failed) NHS Trust can be placed into private hands, or am I simply indulging in a bit of wishful thinking here?

Wow and we all know what outsourcing does for you, just ask a Potter Bar train crash survivor. Now I thought it was agreed the best solution was to keep it in house. Changed their mind now have they?

Got it now, Mate!


England only, then? Wonder how its funded? Remember the old maxim, about (when you want to know who benefits) "always follow the money"?

So, on the face of it then, any or all NHS Trusts could be contractors overseen by, and accountable to, the HCC? H'mmm. Food for thought, there, then.

Does anyone know which body controls infection control for the NHS and how it is organised at a trust level? Any advice would be much appreciated

Here's a start, John. Looks like you've only got until the end of March (2008, presumably). And it's all being funded by new money (whatever that means)!

Thanks Geoff
Tight timescale!!
However I would really like to know who manages infection control at trust level especially on an ongoing basis. For example, when a theatre manager purchases an item of equipment, do infection control get involved in the procurement proess or are there guidelines to follow.

John
It is not normal for infection control to have a direct input into the procurement process for equipment. However, they will probably advise on cleaning processes to be employed.
Most equipment will have cleaning guidelines as part of the DFU.

Just as my input in mandatory here, so that we are aware of servicing costs,compliance with standards, compatibility etc, Our Infection Control input is also mandatory. We certainly don't want to purchase equipment that cannot be processed within our Infection Control gidelines.

The latest update:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7181837.stm

What happens to the cleaning regime in a PFI hospital where the hotel sevices and works dept. were signed over to the PFI "partners" and a 30 year contract specifing each job and task were signed over 5 years ago.

"Oh yes" the NHS will have to pay extra for the changes!

Lee

No one seems to have factored in the extra cost of replacing equipment that has been 'lost or thrown out' during this process. We have had to replace quite a lot of gear so far!

Not to mention overtime payment, and, dare I mention it, the cost of lost man-hours due to staff illness!

My guess is the Deep Clean will become an established part of hospital routine, and that the biomeds will become increasingly involved as this new bandwagon rolls through the hospital (and then restarts, in the best painting the Forth Bridge tradition)!

To my mind, the positive spin is that the biomeds get a chance to really dig out (aka PM) some of that kit that otherwise would have remained constantly in use or otherwise difficult to access. As in ICU, Theatres, Day Surgery and all the rest.

So let's see it as a new challenge, a good opportunity to remind the rest of the hospital that biomed still exists, and even a chance to put in a bid for extra resources.

And (lastly), don't forget that agency techs are always available if this exercise is indeed regarded as a "one off" (... which, as I say, I very much doubt) and extra man-hours are required to carry it out!

In the "golden old days" when a ward was shut for deep cleaning there was normally bed space available to cope, now with bed shortages and occupancy levels at over 95% what happens to patients whilst the deep clean happens?
Oh i remember we cancel operating lists.

Lee

Leave the patient in the bed and deep clean them as well just in case they have MRSA?
Robert

They should do that for some of the staff as well!!!!

Here's a bit of background reading!