An unannounced inspection of the north’s main hospital has found improvements in cleanliness and hygiene.
Raigmore Hospital in Inverness was previously criticised after a previous inspection in May last year of its theatres discovered bloodstaining on its tables among a number of other issues.
A sharps bin heavily contaminated with blood was found unsafely stored on top of a stack of glove boxes in the sluice of the labour ward.
Further worrying discoveries included breast milk expressing equipment being used by multiple mothers without changing the filters, which could lead to a risk of cross-infection.
A follow-up unannounced visit in February found improvements, with Healthcare Improvement Scotland saying that four requirements stipulated after the previous inspection have been met.
Two new requirements have been put in place relating to reporting of data to senior management.
Sara Twaddle, interim director of quality assurance for Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“All four requirements have been met. However, this inspection has resulted in two new requirements. NHS Highland must ensure that, where data suggest that compliance with standard infection control precautions is below the accepted standard, action plans are developed and senior managers are informed.
“The board has drawn up an action plan to address these issues.
“We will continue to monitor the cleanliness of the theatres in Raigmore Hospital at future inspections.”
NHS Highland has welcomed the report, saying it recognised the “hard work” put in by staff since the previous
The inspection team found that the overall standard of environmental cleanliness throughout the main theatre department and outlying theatres was good.
Inspectors looked at approximately 100 pieces of equipment during their visit and found they were “almost all clean and appropriately stored”.
They also found that audits of hand hygiene among theatre staff had also imroved.
Catherine Stokoe, infection control manager for NHS Highland, said: “Feedback from the inspection team was positive and all previous requirements have been met, however we are disappointed that a further two requirements have been identified.
“Work has already progressed on these to ensure we scrutinise our standard infection control precautions audit process and that a rolling hand hygiene programme is in place.
“We have also reviewed the location of hand gel dispensers in theatres with extra dispensers now in place where required.”
