Learn the lessons of the past

doi:10.1136/bmj.39289.659919.BE

BMJ 2007;335:222 (4 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.39289.659919.BE

Letters

Hand hygiene and the CMO

Learn the lessons of the past

Factors other than hand washing contribute to hospital acquiredinfections such as changes in hospital practice which were designedto improve bed occupancy and officially to save money.¹

Ward cleaners also used to be part of the team in an individualward under the immediate control of the ward sister, who ensuredthat they were taught simple facts of hygiene. The cleanerswould chat to "their patients" and were often told things thatpatients would not mention to the doctors. Unfortunately, thisfunction of the cleaners could not be factored in by accountants,and, to save money, ward cleaning was contracted out to privatefirms. The cleaners employed were often less well paid, hadno personal feeling about any ward or its cleanliness, couldnot be told what to do by the ward sister, and had no trainingin hygiene, so the standard of ward cleanliness deteriorated.

Evan L Lloyd, retired consultant anaesthetist

Edinburgh EH12 6NQ

evlloyd{at}waitrose.com

Competing interests: None declared.

References

Day M. Chief medical officer names hand hygiene and organ donation as public health priorities. BMJ 2007;335:113. (21 July.)[Free Full Text]

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Chief medical officer names hand hygiene and organ donation as public health priorities: Michael Day
BMJ 2007 335: 113. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]