21/10/2008
Health Hygiene Highlighted
The NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, is hoping that Ulster's health workers will catch the bug - 'the cleanliness bug' - with the launch a new, hi-tech, online manual for healthcare staff to help them prevent and control infections.
The Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual is available on the internet - and with full public access too as part of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's (DHSSPS) 'Changing the Culture' action plan.
Speaking at the start of a special 'Infection Control Week', the Minister said: "I am committed to combating healthcare associated infections. That is why we are taking a zero tolerance approach and the Trusts must do all they can to minimise the risk to patients.
"This manual will be a valuable resource for protecting patients. Its purpose is to make sure that, across Northern Ireland, best practice becomes standard practice.
"The manual complements other measures that I have already taken this year, including a £9 million investment for new initiatives like single rooms for new hospitals, a programme of unannounced hygiene inspections of all hospitals, restrictions on hospital visiting, a regional hand hygiene campaign, MRSA screening for high risk patients, and funding for a pharmacist in each trust area to work with clinical staff to promote safer prescribing of antibiotics," he explained.
The introduction of an information card for healthcare staff as part of the 'cleanyourhands' campaign has also drawn attention to the simplest of measures - with attention to the importance of hand hygiene in the fight against infections given prominence - giving advice on when hand rubs are appropriate and when they are not.
The Minister added: "A great deal has been achieved already through hard work by staff in the Trusts, but there’s always more that can be done to improve patient safety and earn public confidence," he said, also noting that it's not just a staff responsibility.
"It's important to remember that preventing infections is not just the responsibility of healthcare staff," he continued.
"Members of the public can make a big difference by taking simple measures such as hand-washing or not visiting hospital if they have a cold or viral infection," he concluded.
(BMcC)
The Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual is available on the internet - and with full public access too as part of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's (DHSSPS) 'Changing the Culture' action plan.
Speaking at the start of a special 'Infection Control Week', the Minister said: "I am committed to combating healthcare associated infections. That is why we are taking a zero tolerance approach and the Trusts must do all they can to minimise the risk to patients.
"This manual will be a valuable resource for protecting patients. Its purpose is to make sure that, across Northern Ireland, best practice becomes standard practice.
"The manual complements other measures that I have already taken this year, including a £9 million investment for new initiatives like single rooms for new hospitals, a programme of unannounced hygiene inspections of all hospitals, restrictions on hospital visiting, a regional hand hygiene campaign, MRSA screening for high risk patients, and funding for a pharmacist in each trust area to work with clinical staff to promote safer prescribing of antibiotics," he explained.
The introduction of an information card for healthcare staff as part of the 'cleanyourhands' campaign has also drawn attention to the simplest of measures - with attention to the importance of hand hygiene in the fight against infections given prominence - giving advice on when hand rubs are appropriate and when they are not.
The Minister added: "A great deal has been achieved already through hard work by staff in the Trusts, but there’s always more that can be done to improve patient safety and earn public confidence," he said, also noting that it's not just a staff responsibility.
"It's important to remember that preventing infections is not just the responsibility of healthcare staff," he continued.
"Members of the public can make a big difference by taking simple measures such as hand-washing or not visiting hospital if they have a cold or viral infection," he concluded.
(BMcC)
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Odyssey Hits Back As McGimpsey Slates Behaviour
One of Belfast's premier entertainment locations was highlighted today as the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey went 'on the town' to experience first hand the problems that land at the doorstep of the city's emergency and frontline healthcare staff.
Odyssey Hits Back As McGimpsey Slates Behaviour
One of Belfast's premier entertainment locations was highlighted today as the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey went 'on the town' to experience first hand the problems that land at the doorstep of the city's emergency and frontline healthcare staff.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
