A week in the life of the Infection Control Manager
Monday 28th April
Morning I’m Catherine, the Infection Control Manager for NHS Highland, based in
Inverness
I took up the post in January having moved up from Northumbria in England,
I’d worked there since the early 1990’s as a nurse in various disciplines.
See this edition of Highlights for more about my role
http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/publications/highlights/documents/feb%202014.
pdf
This morning I am in Raigmore hospital.
I’m catching up with the microbiology staff & Infection Control Team to see what has
been happening in the hospitals over the weekend.
It’s easy to see that all the staff in NHS Highland are committed to reducing harm
and protecting our patients.
I met some lovely domestic staff this afternoon who are devoted to keeping our
hospitals clean and tidy.
Not an easy job when you have thousands of feet walking across your floors an
hour!
Tuesday
8.30 and I’m in the office and ready to check the overnight emails, and lab reports.
9am off to a meeting to hear about all the work that is going on around infection
prevention and control within Raigmore hospital.
All the operational units hold infection prevention meetings
Each locality has differing needs to meet the expectations of their clients. #local
differences same vision
Grabbing lunch at the local hospital dining room
Time for a team catch up to see what’s happening.
The lab staff keep the infection control team informed of any potential infectious
cases 24/7.
The ward staff also proactively ring the infection control staff to let them know of any
patients they are concerned about.
Haven't been affected by norovirus in our hospitals this year but evidence elsewhere
shows it is in community so we must remain vigilant.
For clinical guidelines and info visit http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/index.aspx
Norovirus causes diarrhoea and vomiting and is very easily spread from person to
person http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/health-library/articles/n/norovirus/introduction
If you have symptoms they are shortlived so please delay coming in to the hospital to
visit a loved one,
Stay at home and don't go to the doctor, because norovirus is contagious & there is
nothing the doctor can do while you have it.
And if you have an appointment with your healthcare provider ring them and let them
know
Wednesday challenge
I’m in Edinburgh today attending a national conference on Infection Control
#Holyrood events
Pregnant women are urged to get flu vaccine after figures showed less than half
were immunised last winter bbc.in/1k1xlBt
Excellent start to the day, Professor Hugh Pennington takes the stand.
Now there’s a thing I never considered – the impact of a Norovirus outbreak on an
oilrig in the North Sea.
I had thought about the cases of Norovirus that we might see from the cruise ships
docking at Oban and Invergordon #learning all the time
Dr Dancer a microbiologist with vast experience telling us about past outbreaks of
infections and their unusual sources.
Sherlock Holmes faces some serious competition from Microbiologists and Infection
Control Nurses #surveillance is key
Interesting concept next. Do we fight bacteria with bacteria?
A Cambridge professor talking about the work his team are doing #futureinitiatives
What a fantastic learning event! So much to share with the teams when I get back
Time to head North, going to be a late night!
Thursday
Start the day by checking all is well with our patients and the staff. Now off to a
meeting.
Met some of our Estates staff today; they are really engaged with the need to
maintain a clean working environment for the patients & staff.
The refurbishment work in Raigmore hospital’s tower block is testament to that
Off to visit an outpatient department now.
Team of people including members of patient council get together regularly to make
sure places are clean & staff are doing the right things.
For more about getting involved with the Patients’ Council
http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Pages/RaigmoreHospital.aspx
We’ve done our inspection and all is as it should be - all credit to the department
manager.
What a busy department, lots of people come from all over to be seen here at
Outpatients.
Something I didn’t appreciate before I moved to the Highlands #travel
Back to the office and a final check before hitting the road for home
Friday
Early start this morning off down to visit Lorn and the Islands Hospital in Oban
The Lorn and Islands hospital is situated on the southern outskirts of Oban.
It was purpose built in 1995 and has all the services you would expect from a rural
hospital.
Lovely welcome on this sunny spring day from the staff on reception.
Saw a new portable sink, which can be used to provide extra hand washing facilities
in times of need.
Saw a fantastic display board in theatres demonstrating the good work that’s going
to keep infection rates low.
Up to the new Chemo unit, what a lovely environment for the patients to be in when
they are receiving their treatment.
Onto the wards, pleasing to see infection control is key in everyone’s mind.
Just seen the cleanliest plaster trolley I have ever seen! Well done A/E
Well that’s my day at Lorn and Islands over; I’ve been very impressed with the staff
and environment. Time to hit the road
You can follow me at @CathStokoe