Thread: UK - Patient cleaned 'filthy' ward while attached to a drip

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healt ... -drip.html

Published: 7:00AM BST 03 Jul 2009

A patient was so disgusted at the "filthy" hospital ward she was being treated on that she forced herself out of bed and cleaned it while still attached to a drip.

Tereza Tosbell, 48, who works as a cleaner, became angry as she watched hygiene staff at work and claims their brief visit left the room as dirty as they found it.

So she tracked down cleaning materials and attacked the sink, radiator and curtain rail she said had not been wiped by the official cleaners in Colchester General Hospital.

"It is shameful that the cleaners just wiped the basin with a paper towel and totally ignored the taps which are the most important part." she said.

"The radiator was filthy, there were cobwebs on the curtain rail round my bed and you could write your name in the dust on the windowsill," said Miss Tosbell.

She was admitted for three days last week with an abscess when she decided to start cleaning as she waited for her test results.

"I was stunned to see how badly they cleaned – the ward was filthy. They didn't bother to clean the cabinets or wipe the chairs that visitors use.

"They didn't use any antibacterial fluids and just grabbed sheets of paper towel. I know because of my work that hygiene in such places is ultra important.

"During the three days I was there the floor wasn't vacuumed or washed. The only time it was wiped was when a bed was moved.

"I was not prepared to put up with such conditions but I couldn't walk out so I decided to do something about it myself."

Miss Tosbell, who described the medical care she received as first-rate, added: "Patients shouldn't have to keep the wards clean – that's the job of the cleaners and it's clear they are not doing it properly."

A spokesman for Colchester Hospital University NHS said: "We are always concerned to hear of any instances where its high standards are not being met.

"All of our staff are aware of their responsibilities towards cleaning and maintenance and regular monitoring of the environment involves clinicians, staff, management and board members.

"We have also had a number of unannounced hygiene and cleanliness inspections by the Healthcare Commission and all wards inspected have been found to have a good level of cleanliness and maintained in good general repair.

"In the annual health check ratings for 2007-2008 we scored maximum marks for safety and cleanliness and we have also been praised for our very low levels of infections such as C. difficile and MRSA.

"One of our senior matrons is dedicated two days a week looking at to ways of improving things for patients. We would ask Mrs Tosbell to contact us so that we can look at her experience in more detail."

FYI,
ANQ

I have heard of this kind of thing where germophobes will start cleaning their hospital room even though it is already squeaky clean.