Challenge hospital staff about handwashing (From Echo)

Challenge hospital staff about handwashing

5:23am Tuesday 8th April 2008 in

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PEOPLE concerned about hospital cleanliness are being urged to challenge health workers on whether they have washed their hands.

Andrew Pike, chief executive of South East Essex Primary Care Trust, said huge efforts were being made to reduce the spread of the infections MRSA and C.Diff at Southend Hospital.

Mr Pike said: "The best way to reduce infections is strict adherence to good basic clinical practice, with hand washing being the most important.

"We would encourage people using health services to question any healthcare worker, whether in hospital or the community, if they have washed their hands.

"We also ask that visitors to the hospital wash their hands and do not attend the hospital if they are suffering from coughs, colds or other infections."