MRSA problem exacerbated by too much patient clutter and unrestricted visiting

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 26 Jul 2004 - 15:00 PDT

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According to the British Cleaning Council (BCC), the fight against hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is being undermined by unrestricted visiting and excessive personal property on wards.

The British Cleaning Council says large numbers of visitors and personal clutter around patients' beds makes it very hard for cleaners to do their jobs properly.

BCC chairperson Paul Pearce called for restricted visiting times and numbers, and limits on the amount of belongings a patient can bring in.

Paul Pearce said 'In their desire to pander to the patient's every whim, some hospital managers have forgotten that their most important right is to be able to recover in a safe, hygienic place. Cleaners must be allowed to do their jobs properly and without interruption. For too long now the focus has shifted towards the needs of the patient to the detriment of hospital staff. Cleaners have lost the authority to do their jobs.'

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