Information on Loughborough

Patients and NHS work Hand in Hand

Posted on 11/12/2007
P. Klein

medical vacutainers

Hospitals and health centres across Leicestershire and Rutland have joined forces with organisations across the East Midlands to reduce healthcare-associated infections with the launch of the ‘Hand in Hand, fighting infection together’ campaign. The campaign is running throughout the East Midlands and therefore will include Loughborough and Charnwood.

‘Hand in Hand, fighting infection together’, launches an awareness week (10 – 14 December 2007) where activities in hospitals and the community will showcase the major improvements already made. People can also learn how simple hand hygiene steps can make a difference in helping to reduce infections.

The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness of what infection prevention means; how MRSA and Clostridium difficile can be spread and the easiest way we can all prevent it – by keeping our hands clean.

Anna Barrett , Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Leicestershire and Rutland PCT said: “It sounds simple but the vast majority of people don’t know how to wash their hands properly. For example, after going to the toilet most people just rinse their fingertips quickly under cold water and that does not get rid of the germs which can make people ill. Some germs can stay alive on our hands for up to three hours and in that time they can be spread to all the things we touch – including food and other people.  It’s particularly important that people wash their hands before eating, and that includes taking medicines.”

The campaign is also being supported by advertising on buses on main transport routes in each county. This is designed to take the campaign messages out to the public and make everyone more aware about preventing infections. An information leaflet explaining more about hand hygiene with a handy cleansing gel sachet attached, will be available to those going into hospitals and other healthcare buildings.

‘Stop Infection’ posters will also be displayed throughout hospitals, GP surgeries and health centres. Patients and visitors to hospitals across the East Midlands including those in Loughborough will receive campaign napkins with their meals to remind them of the importance of hand hygiene.

Dame Catherine Elcoat, Director of Nursing & Patient Care at NHS East Midlands, said: “I am delighted that NHS organisations across the East Midlands are working together to reduce infection. Organisations across the East Midlands have been working hard and have significantly reduced rates of infection. This campaign is designed to help inform the general public on the facts and how a few simple, small steps can really make a big difference”.

It comes as Leicestershire’s healthcare community has teamed up to develop a counties-wide infection control strategy spanning the next three years. The strategy incorporates locally set targets for reducing infection rates of C Diff and achieving national targets for MRSA.

As well as infections such as MRSA and C Dif, the strategy incorporates blood borne viruses such as hepatitis B and C and other infections such as TB and the flu pandemic.

Trusts in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland received £1.37m additional funding this year to spend on additional infection control efforts. Money has been spent on new furniture and fittings which meet stringent infection control standards, as well as more handwashing facilities for the public. A number of these improvements will be launched during Hand in Hand week.

Infection rates at Leicester’s hospitals continue to fall. Latest figures show cases of C Diff dropped by more than 65 per cent, while MRSA bacteriums have dropped by a third in the last six months at Leicester’s hospitals. The Department of Health has asked Leicester’s hospitals to share good practice on combating MRSA infection with other trusts around the country.

And with the coughs and colds season upon us, there is even more reason to practice good hand hygiene. You can reduce the risk of spreading colds to others by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and make sure that you wash your hands regularly. Dispose of used tissues immediately. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly and when visiting a hospital, make sure you use the alcohol hand rub at the entrance to the ward or unit when you enter and leave.