Clean bill of health for NNUH infection inspection

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has fully met all 15 infection prevention standards assessed under a Care Quality Commission (CQC) unannounced inspection.

The Care Quality Commission performed an unannounced inspection on 21st October 2009 to assess whether Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is adequately protecting patients, workers and others from healthcare-associated infection.

The latest inspection by the National Patient Safety Agency also judged that the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) offers patients excellent standards of cleanliness, catering and privacy and dignity.

The hospital has amongst the very lowest infection rates of any hospital in the region. Latest figures show that since April there have been five hospital-acquired MRSA cases and 49 hospital-acquired cases of Clostridium difficile.

Chief executive Anna Dugdale said: “We are determined to prevent hospital acquired infection wherever possible and our staff deserve credit for the very great efforts they have made to protect our patients. This latest inspection highlights what a good job is being done but we will not be complacent and will continue to focus on patient safety.”

The CQC infection inspection report can be seen at http://2009ratings.cqc.org.uk/_db/_documents/RM1_Norfolk_Norwich_Univ_Hosp_NHS_FT_HCAI_Inspection_Report_20091021.pdf