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North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has achieved a 66.46% reduction in Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) hospital acquired infections (HAIs) since establishing a rolling programme of regular and thorough and effective maintenance, deep cleaning and decontamination of the hospital environment and patient equipment. Graeme Kelly, Quality and Decontamination Manager at the Trust, explained: “In October 2009, we established a programme of regular proactive decontamination of all wards using five STERIS BioGienie® hydrogen peroxide disinfectant delivery systems. This was made possible by the Trust creating a decant ward to allow for the temporary relocation of patients without the loss of any funded beds.”
Alongside this programme, the team has provided a reactive service also using the BioGienie systems, which is initiated by a ward hygienist being contacted prior to or immediately following the discharge or transfer of patients with C. diff.
Graeme added: “We immediately noticed a significant reduction in all HAIs, including MRSA and norovirus, and data accumulated since then has confirmed a 66.46 % reduction in C. diff. HAIs within 18 months of the start of the programme. An important factor has been the appointment of dedicated ward hygienists, who work in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. Having the support of an enthusiastic, driven and focussed team, including domestics, porters, estates staff, IPCT and nursing staff has been key to these significant reductions. This is a forward-thinking Trust committed to improving patient safety, and the BioGienie has enabled us to put easy, effective and safe systems and protocols in place.”
