HEALTH bosses have been told to improve standards on the storage of clinical waste at the East Ayrshire Community Hospital in Cumnock.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) said an inspection of the hospital's Marchburn ward had found that clinical waste was not always being stored securely while awaiting uplift, and that clinical and general waste was being stored together.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran says the requirements identified by the inspectors were "implemented immediately" and that it was committed to "continuous improvement" at the facility.
The inspection took place on February 13.
During the visit, inspectors examined the Marchburn ward, which provides complex care to older adults.
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They observed staff practice and interactions with patients, such as during patient mealtimes spoke with ward staff, and accessed patients’ health records, monitoring reports, policies and procedures.
This visit was part of a programme of inspections with a focus on infection, prevention and control in NHS in-patient adult mental health units across Scotland.
The inspectors' report praised the cleanliness of the environment and the good relationship between frontline staff and the infection prevention and control team.
Donna Maclean, chief inspector at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “The ward environment was clean and well maintained. Staff were knowledgeable about infection prevention and control and reported a good relationship with the infection prevention and control team.
“Maintenance requests are completed in a timely manner and any delays are communicated to ward staff.
"We saw good compliance with mandatory infection prevention and control training and effective systems and processes for infection prevention and control and obtaining patient and family feedback on cleanliness.
“An area for improvement identified relates to clinical waste not stored securely while awaiting uplift and general and clinical waste were stored together.”
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In order to meet the requirements from this inspection, an action plan has been developed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
In response, Craig McArthur, director of the East Ayrshire health and social care partnership, said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran is committed to providing high standards to ensure the people we care for and support receive safe and dignified care at all times.
"Our teams have a strong focus on ensuring that improvements are made to deliver the best possible care across health and social care services.
"NHS Ayrshire & Arran values scrutiny and inspection of our services as a learning organisation, and as part of our commitment to continuous improvement."
Mr McArthur added: "We welcome the recent Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s (HIS) report following their unannounced infection prevention and control (IPC) inspection visit to Marchburn ward in East Ayrshire Community Hospital.
"The report and feedback from inspectors was overwhelmingly positive and highlighted that the ward environment was clean and well maintained, and that staff were knowledgeable about infection prevention and control.
"HIS identified two areas for further improvement which were implemented immediately.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teams, and express my pride for their hard work in looking after some of the most vulnerable people we care for and support."
The report can be read in full at tinyurl.com/EACHinspection2024.
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