Take 5 – standards for a clean and safe hospital

On 28 February 2005, we launched for our staff our standards for a clean and safe hospital.

We ask our staff to follow the five steps for each of our five standards to help keep Addenbrooke's clean and safe for patients, visitors and staff:

1. Hand hygiene

2. Dress code and uniform

3. Personal protective equipment

4. Intravascular Cannula Car

5. Urinary Catheter Care

They are mainly for staff who have direct contact with patients but all staff need to be aware of them and follow them as appropriate. They are backed up by full policies, which are available to our staff on our Intranet.

You can help our staff meet these standards by reporting any problems and helping to keep your bed area clutter-free.

If staff have any queries about the standards, they are asked to speak to their manager or one of the senior clinical nurses (our 'modern matrons')

1. Hand hygiene

1. Use alcohol gel every time you enter or leave a ward or clinic

2. Clean your hands before and after every hands-on patient contact

3. Clean your hands when you enter a patient curtain area

4. Wash your hands with liquid soap and water whenever your hands are visibly soiled

5. Wash your hands with liquid soap and water after five alcohol gel applications

2. Dress code and uniform

1. Keep your work clothes/uniform clean and in good repair

2. Wear your identification badge at all times on the hospital site

3. Keep your uniform covered with a coat while you travel to and from work

4. Fingernails should be clean, short and neat, without nail varnish or nail extensions for staff with hands-on patient contact

5. Wear discreet jewellery only - eg one plain band ring, one pair of stud earrings for staff with hands-on patient contact

3. Personal protective equipment

1. Wear gloves if you could be at risk of exposure to blood and other body fluids

2. Wear a plastic apron if there is a risk of splashes of blood or other body fluids

3. Wear gloves and plastic aprons for one procedure only

4. Use face masks and eye protection whenever there is a risk of blood or other body fluids splashing your face or eyes

5. Wash your hands with liquid soap and water following removal of protective clothing

4. Intravascular Cannula Care

1. Ensure there is a continuing clinical need for the line

2. Wash your hands before and after every line manipulation

3. Check at least daily that the line site is dry, clean and free from signs of infection

4. Check there is a clean, dry, sterile, transparent dressing that has been changed appropriately

5. 6. Use aseptic non touch technique (ANTT) to access hubs, ports etc

5. Urinary Catheter Care

1. Check there is a continuing clinical need for the catheter

2. Wash your hands before and after every catherter manipulation

3. Document date and time of insterion of catheter in patient's notes

4. Check catheter care has been performed at least daily and documented

5. Check there is a sterile closed drainage catheter system; that the tubing and bag are placed below the level of the bladder; and the catheter bag kept off the floor