Bug-busting event for all at hospitals

Staff, patients and visitors to Stafford and Cannock Chase hospitals are being invited to join in a bug-busting event.

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust's Infection Control Awareness Week runs from today until Friday.

The event is being held to remind people of the importance of infection control throughout the trust.

Displays, demonstrations and quizzes for staff, patients and visitors will be held at the two hospitals.

A hand hygiene roadshow will encourage people to wash their hands and use alcohol gel provided outside hospital wards to help prevent the spread of infection. Last year the trust ran 'Hands up for the cleanest hospital campaign' which encouraged all visitors, staff and patients to do their bit to beat the bugs by thoroughly washing their hands.

Helen Moss, director of nursing and governance, said: "Every time a patient is touched by a health care professional or a visitor several thousand bacteria can be transmitted – and even a small improvement in hand hygiene can have a big impact on the transmission of infection."

Infection Control Awareness Week will also see the trust formally adopting a new method of teaching a 'non touch' practice – the Aseptic Non Touch Technique(ANTT) – in a further bid to reduce infection rates.

Matron Jacqui Mason said: "The ANTT aims to prevent any micro-organisms on hands, surfaces or equipment from being introduced to patients' wounds, catheters and drips."