Russells Hall installing new stations

New hand-wash stations are being installed at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital to help in the fight against superbugs and other infections.

They will contain non-alcohol anti-bacterial foam and will be introduced following requests from patients and visitors for more places to clean their hands.

A trial station in the entrance of the hospital has been hailed a success and a further 20 will be introduced.

Bosses reckon they will help the hospital to further reduce MRSA and C-diff rates and ensure it continues to meet Government targets.

In the past year, the hospital recorded 10 cases of MRSA against its goal of no more than 12, and 126 cases of C-diff against its target of no more than 238.

Consultant nurse for infection control Dawn Westmoreland said: "Our big challenge now is to maintain the standards we have worked so hard to improve.

"Although we're pleased to have achieved both the MRSA bacteraemia and C.diff targets, we're constantly looking at new things to try and bring the rates down even lower."

Chief executive Paula Clark said: "Infection prevention and control is a top priority for the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

"To take this commitment further we have been trialling a new hand hygiene Sanipost station in the main entrance of Russells Hall Hospital.

"The Sanipost station delivers a shot of non alcohol anti-bacterial foam, which is as effective as the alcohol-based hand wash found at the entrance to wards.

"We are waiting for a further 20 stations to be delivered and will be distributed to areas around the hospital, such as outpatient departments and the Corbett and Guest Outpatient Centres."

Last year, the hospital used antibacterial paint which prevents bacteria surviving on painted surfaces.

It is applied and disposed of in the same way as standard emulsion and is able to withstand repeated cleaning cycles.

The paint was used in key areas around the site during redecoration work in the outpatients' department and corridors on the ground, first and second floors.