AN unannounced three-day inspection of Crosshouse Hospital has exposed several failings.

Officials from Healthcare Improvement Scotland, found bloodstains on theatre staff members’ footwear, contamination of equipment and crumbling walls and floors.

Health board bosses have been told that there are environmental issues in the main theatre department and maternity theatre which must be addressed to allow effective cleaning.

In addition, clinical waste must be stored securely — under lock and key— whilst awaiting collection for disposal.

Inspectors were also critical of the actions of several staff members who they noticed leaving individual operating theatres and walking through the theatre corridors while still wearing face masks. 

The report noted that ‘all personal protective equipment should be disposed of immediately following a procedure or task’. 

Referring specifically to maternity theatres some equipment, which is used to provide support and stability to patients, was ‘heavily contaminated’.

Meanwhile, in the shared maternity theatre anaesthetic room, sterile stock was stored in open cardboard boxes beside a disposal sink that inspectors were told was used for hand hygiene. 

However, the sink did not comply with guidance for clinical hand wash basins and, as a result, meant there was risk of splash contamination. 
In the maternity theatres, inspectors noted possible blood contamination on some staff members’ theatre shoes, stored for use in the changing rooms. 

They were told it was the responsibly of each individual member of staff to clean these. However, it was recognised this had been difficult to implement with some staff groups. 

In a separate inspection of eight wards at Crosshouse, there were fewer issues although there was a problem caused by limited space in Ward 2c.

Clinical wash hand basins were obstructed by patient chairs with staff revealing that this was an ongoing failing which made it difficult for staff to wash their hands with soap and water when necessary.

Nurse director, Professor Hazel Borland, said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran is committed to providing high standards of care and cleanliness in all our healthcare settings.

“We fully accept the HEI team’s findings following the unannounced visit between May 1 and 3.

“The HEI inspection was valuable in helping us identify areas where we need to improve and our staff found the visit to be informative and useful. 

“We are pleased that the inspection team observed that there is a good standard of cleaning and cleanliness generally.

“We have an action plan in place to ensure the requirements and recommendations highlighted by the HEI team are addressed and we will ensure that we continue to provide high standards of care and hygiene throughout our healthcare settings.”