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18/11/2011
Bedside Furniture To Counter Infections
New bedside furniture designs can reduce healthcare associated infections, according to the Department of Health.
The specialist furniture will be made available today for the NHS to purchase after testing showed positive patient and staff feedback.
After being trialled on wards in eight hospitals across England, the new designs for a patient chair, bedside cabinet, over-bed table and a commode were found to be easier and quicker to clean, and will further help in the fight to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) such as MRSA, C. difficile and MSSA.
Health Minister Simon Burns said: "Cleanliness is vital in preventing healthcare associated infections. The NHS has already made significant reductions of MRSA bloodstream infections and C. difficile, but there is still room for further progress.
“These four innovative and user-friendly furniture designs – now available for hospitals to buy – provide additional ways to help to reduce these infections. They will make it easier for staff to keep wards cleaner and help combat the spread of infections. This means keeping patients healthier, as well as saving the NHS money in the long term.”
The evaluation feedback showed positive reactions from both patients and staff.
The Design Bugs Out project – a partnership between the Department of Health and the Design Council – brought together clinical specialists, patients and frontline hospital staff with designers and manufacturers to produce furniture designs that are not only easier and quicker to clean but functional and comfortable and at a comparable price.
The Government said that hospital furniture design had not been assessed for many years, or been so thoroughly evaluated.
The ergonomically sound, robust and sustainable designs are the first to be tested by an independent laboratory for 'cleanability' in comparison to existing hospital furniture, as well as user-friendliness by ward staff, patients and visitors.
The four pieces proved to be easier to clean after undergoing rigorous assessments that replicated routine hospital cleaning procedures of typically contaminated hospital furniture.
(DW)
The specialist furniture will be made available today for the NHS to purchase after testing showed positive patient and staff feedback.
After being trialled on wards in eight hospitals across England, the new designs for a patient chair, bedside cabinet, over-bed table and a commode were found to be easier and quicker to clean, and will further help in the fight to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) such as MRSA, C. difficile and MSSA.
Health Minister Simon Burns said: "Cleanliness is vital in preventing healthcare associated infections. The NHS has already made significant reductions of MRSA bloodstream infections and C. difficile, but there is still room for further progress.
“These four innovative and user-friendly furniture designs – now available for hospitals to buy – provide additional ways to help to reduce these infections. They will make it easier for staff to keep wards cleaner and help combat the spread of infections. This means keeping patients healthier, as well as saving the NHS money in the long term.”
The evaluation feedback showed positive reactions from both patients and staff.
The Design Bugs Out project – a partnership between the Department of Health and the Design Council – brought together clinical specialists, patients and frontline hospital staff with designers and manufacturers to produce furniture designs that are not only easier and quicker to clean but functional and comfortable and at a comparable price.
The Government said that hospital furniture design had not been assessed for many years, or been so thoroughly evaluated.
The ergonomically sound, robust and sustainable designs are the first to be tested by an independent laboratory for 'cleanability' in comparison to existing hospital furniture, as well as user-friendliness by ward staff, patients and visitors.
The four pieces proved to be easier to clean after undergoing rigorous assessments that replicated routine hospital cleaning procedures of typically contaminated hospital furniture.
(DW)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
