Raising standards of hand hygiene – infection prevention in focus in recent Westminster debate
Hand hygiene and infection prevention is now a top priority on the Government’s agenda, after a recent Westminster debate addressed the key infection prevention issues within Healthcare settings. The debate addressed the use of electronic monitoring systems to measure hand hygiene compliance and reduce infection rates. All parties present addressed the flaws of direct observation and the impactthat capturing inaccurate hand hygiene data has on patients and the NHS. It also focused on how technology can improve hand hygiene compliance and what actions need to be taken to reduce costs and increase patient safety within the NHS. Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood, played a key role in the debate as she continues to actively campaign to improve hand hygiene ever since losing her dad to an MRSA in 2011. She stated: “It is important that this debate draws attention to the fact that the current system of hand hygiene monitoring in hospitals needs updating and is inaccurate and outdated. There are better monitoring systems out there. The current system allows poor hand hygiene practice to spread and can put patients’ lives at risk.” MPs Jim Shannon and Nigel Mills, and Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, Justin Madders, recognised the need for a change in the way that hand hygiene is measured. Justin Madders, said: “Staff naturally wash their hands much more frequently when being observed directly, which results in clearly overstated compliance rates of 90% to 100%. Academic research has found that typical compliance is actually between 18% and 40%.” Steven Barclay, Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the potential of electronic monitoring to reduce infection rates and save money. Steven Barclay, said: “One theme of the debate was whether the Government are doing enough to drive forward the use of technology. I recognise the limits of direct observation and how behavioural change may respond to those. That is why the Government are actively looking at the extent to which technology can facilitate this area.” As a result of the debate, there emerged a clear consensus from all sides of the house that hand hygiene is an important issue, direct observation is not an appropriate means of monitoring hand hygiene compliance, whilst technology offers a clear way of improving compliance and reducing infections. John Hines, Director of Research and Development at Deb, said: “The debate proved a huge success and it was great to see MPs and Health Ministers joining forces to ensure infection prevention remains high on the Government’s list of priorities. “Technology, if adopted in the right way, creates an opportunity to improve patient safety and reduce the £1bn cost associated with healthcare associated infections. Now it’s time to take further action by working closely with the Government to ensure more hospitals are aware of the benefits of electronic monitoring systems. We want to see such systems replacing direct observation audits, freeing nurses time and paving the way for a safer NHS.” For more information about the Westminster debate on ‘Raising standards of infection prevention and control in the NHS’, visit: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-05-15/debates/395F355A-2F8A-4175-8408-D9AB8B2AA67C/InfectionPreventionAndControl
CPR understands the ever-changing landscape of private healthcare construction
We work hands-on with a full staff of preconstruction and construction professionals with expertise in private healthcare specifically. We don’t leave your schedule, cost or quality to chance. We know how to tackle the unique challenges healthcare construction presents. And most of all, work in a way that ensures uninterrupted patient care and patient, staff and visitor safety. Our multifaceted building team incorporating electricians, roofers, joiners, bricklayers, plumbers, plasterers and decorators ensures that Commercial Property Refurb are there for all your healthcare refurbishment projects. If you’re not quite sure what you require, don’t panic – we’ll be happy to offer impartial advice on the best way to proceed with your building project. CPR continues to set the standard for healthcare facility construction. We strive to build a better solution, every time, every day. Our full Healthcare services include: • Wet rooms fully installed. • Full electrical and plumbing installations. • Anti-Barricade door installations. • Full anti ligature installations. • All works carried out to allow the hospital to remain open at all times. • Roofing and Cladding Systems • Glazing and Fitting Services • Office, Bathrooms, Kitchens & Rooms • Brickwork, Joinery/Carpentry • High Quality Plastering, Rendering and Tiling • Professional Painting and Decorating Planning & Architecture Our professional team consists of qualified planners, planning technicians, architects and architectural technicians. Construction & Office Out-Fits Whatever your requirement, from a small office outfit to a full industrial building refurbishment, we’re here to help you. Building & Renovation CPR can meet your requirements, from the initial planning stage of your project to completion, on time and on budget. We cost and project manage the full process; helping clients across various sectors with a variety of projects whether big or small, from inception to practical completion. We manage an in house team of multi skilled tradesmen as well as a strong supply chain of approved sub-contractors. Commercial Property Refurb Ltd are a one stop shop – whatever your desired building requirement maybe…….. All our staff are certified & highly trained in their chosen field and with access to a variety of knowledge, we really do have you covered. We have full liability insurance up to £5 Million and guarantee all our work. With 21 years experience we offer a top notch service from start to finish. Commercial Property Refurb Clayton House, Midland Road Leeds, West Yorkshire LS10 2RJ Tel: 0113 277 1181 Website: www.commercialpropertyrefurbishment.co.uk
Dechoker saves second care home resident from choking death in five weeks
Dechoker UK are pleased to announce their device has helped save another care home resident from choking, just over a month since their first in the UK. The 87-year-old was enjoying lunch at one of Oakdale Care Group’s homes when he began to choke on a piece of food which had become stuck in his airway. The incident occurred at the recently opened Timken Grange Care Home in Duston, Northampton. The home, along with the rest of Oakdale’s portfolio, have Dechoker devices on every floor with their care teams comprehensively trained both how and when to use them. “Choking is responsible for around 6 care home deaths every month in the UK.” said Matt Oakley, Director at Dechoker UK. “We are both pleased and proud that once again Dechoker has been shown to be effective in a choking emergency.” The effects of a choking death are far-reaching. Initially there will be an emotional impact on the other residents and staff, especially those involved. In addition to this there is the reputational damage to the home, the time and implications associated with a visit from the CQC and the subsequent Coroner’s inquest. “We are delighted that our carers have been trained and are comfortable with using the Dechoker.“ said Rachel Cadd, Timken Grange Home Manager. “We are confident that we would not hesitate in using the device again should the occasion arise.” It was just over a month ago that Dechoker was used to prevent a 97-year-old choking on her breakfast at a care home in Manchester. A resident at New Care’s Ashland Manor Care Home in Sale began to choke on a piece of food whilst eating breakfast. Using a Dechoker, staff removed the obstruction within seconds. Paramedics who attended after the event took the female resident to hospital as a precaution. After spending just 4 hours in A&E she was released and allowed to return to her care home. Dechoker can deliver in-house training to minimise disruption to staff work schedules, they provide ‘Train The Trainer’ sessions and have an online training platform which makes it easy to get everyone up to speed. Dechoker continues to develop relationships with care providers large and small to ensure the safety of both their residents and care staff in the event of a choking emergency. 0330 223 1320 info@dechokeruk.com www.dechokeruk.com @DechokerUK facebook.com\dechokeruk
Tips for achieving dementia friendly design in Care Homes
According to the Alzheimer’s society in 2014 69% of care home residents were estimated to have dementia; and with that number only increasing due to an aging population, it’s vital that care homes continue to re-fit or re-design their care homes with dementia in mind. But what should people be keeping in mind when trying to achieve a dementia friendly design and is it that important? Dementia-friendly design can reduce pressure and stress on families and care home staff. If someone with dementia is calmer and feels more in control, they are likely to make fewer demands on others and cause less potential disruption. Additionally if they are in an environment designed for dementia patients, then they can in many instances maintain more independence, reducing pressure on care home staff and most importantly, making the service user feel more in control of their environment. It’s fair to say that dementia care is an important consideration in the modern care home. The very first thing to keep in mind when setting out to make your care home dementia friendly is that every person’s journey through dementia is different and depends on a wide range of factors. Dementia impairs recent memory first, so when considering changes think about the person’s strongest memories, which are likely to be from their more distant past. A fantastic recent example of this undertaken by Spearhead Healthcare for Alastrean care home. The care home caters to ex members of the RAF, and the interior design team at Spearhead were able to incorporate this into their designs to help create a more familiar, calmer environment for the residents, such as using old RAF service badges as button studs on chairs. Another key consideration is the selection of an interior designer. It is important to seek out someone with knowledge and experience in this area. Many interior designers will happily take the job, not understanding the requirements of dementia patients, resulting in unsatisfactory designs that are not dementia friendly due to lack of knowledge & expertise in dementia specific design. An obvious, but often overlooked key point when considering dementia friendly interior projects is that the design must be simple to comprehend: clarity and straightforwardness should be your key objectives, so that dementia patients will not struggle to understand their environment, which can result in stress and the possibility of violent behavior. Following on from this it’s important to understand the importance of contrast, colour and placement. Research from the dementia services development centre, part of the University of Stirling, in 2013, stressed the importance of these in relation to dementia care and design. Often dementia patients can have issues with weak shoulders and neck muscles and this can discourage them from looking around, creating potential avenues for confusion and frustration. Optimum placement according to the dementia services development centre is 1.2 meters from the floor and should be well placed for maximum visibility. Colour is one thing often not thought about in relation to dementia patients, however it can be used to help ease patients understanding of their setting and reduce frustration. For example making the bathrooms in a care home a different colour to the other doors in a care home can make it easier for dementia patients to identify the bathroom. Contrast can also help or hinder a dementia patient more deeply than just someone who has sight issues. People with dementia can struggle with 3D perception and may misunderstand changes in contrast as steps or holes. Many older people with sight impairments have the same issues, regardless of whether they have dementia, so this is a design adjustment that will benefit them too. By altering contrasts you can draw attention to things patients need to be aware of; more contrast makes it more visible, and of course the reverse is also true. Choosing your furniture is one area that can’t be overlooked, as with everything else keeping it simple and easy to use and understand is key. Complicated handles or sharp edges can cause accidents with dementia patients. A wide range of dementia friendly furniture exists, and some can be custom made to suit the care homes needs and requirements. This is by no means a comprehensive list of everything you need to know when planning for your Dementia friendly care home. A wealth of resources are available at Dementia.stir.ac.uk, or to talk to some experts in care home interior design, including Dementia friendly designs, about plans to re-fit or re-design you care home, contact Spearhead Healthcare on 0345 180 1800 and ask to speak to someone about care home interior design.
The Impact Of Noise On People With Dementia
Poor acoustics in a building can have a detrimental impact on people with dementia. Here we look at some of the effects of noise and how the sound environment can be improved. How dementia and ageing affects our hearing As we become older, our hearing is often affected as part of the ageing process and we lose the ability to hear high frequency sounds. Childen can typically hear or sense sounds at 20,000 Hz, whereas many people aged 85 cannot hear 8,000 Hz and so have lost a huge part of their range of hearing. In a noisy environment it is difficult to pick out speech and understand conversation; this is isolating, increases anxiety and can become distressing. For many people with dementia the ability to filter sound disapears. Sound is often experienced as a cocophony of constant background noise to which people are extremely sensitive. Noise has been shown to increase stress levels, anxiety, confusion, blood pressure, heart rate and fatigue. In addition people with Alzheimer’s disease can experience perceptual problems, which means they can misinterpret some things they see or hear. However we must remember that not all sound is “bad”; whilst a recent study found a link between high noise levels and ‘unwanted behaviour’ in people with dementia, pleasant sounds were found to be ‘positively stimulating’ It concluded that good acoustics should be ‘one of the key architectural efforts in care environments for people with dementia.’ Sounds of nature are often felt to be calming, music is used to aid memory and positively affect mood. Ordinary day to day sounds can be used to gives clues to events for example the sound of laying the table reminds people that lunch is going to be served.
Glasgow Tenants Reminisce with Classic Brits
In full Classic Brit Awards spirit, tenants at a retirement home in Glasgow have been listening to music from their youth and comparing it with today’s drastically different genres. In a nod to Vera Lynn’s nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Best Album, and to mark her profound contribution to UK music and culture, tenants at Bield’s Carntyne Gardens enjoyed an afternoon listening to her hits. From ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ to ‘We’ll Meet Again’ the forces’ sweetheart evoked memories of wartime living. Mary Walker, tenant at Carntyne Gardens, said: “I find these pieces of music very moving – they take me back to when father returned from the war. “I used to listen to this track for hours on end, without ever feeling the urge to go onto the next track – it’s such a beautiful piece of music.” Along with the accolades that Vera Lynn was nominated for, she also received a lifetime achievement prize. William Glen, tenant at Carntyne Gardens, said: “You could really dance to music from our day. “I’d dance the smooth foxtrot with my wife on the weekends at Dennistoun Dance Hall – Glenn Miller’s In the Mood was our favourite track.” When comparing the 40’s hits with today’s tracks, the tenants agreed that today’s popular Grime music wasn’t for them. Glen added: “We love music that we can sing and dance to. This Grime music doesn’t let us do that. “Music from our decade is timeless, powerful, and will never be forgotten. And nothing will ever compare to it.” Carol Harvey, Development Manager at Carntyne Gardens, said: “They certainly weren’t fans of Skepta or Stormzy, but when forced to choose they did agree that Stormzy was better. “The tenants had a great day getting together and sharing stories from the wartime era – and seeing just how much music has changed over the years.” Bield is a registered charity which provides a wide range of housing and services for around 15,000 people across 22 local authority areas in Scotland. To find out more about Carntyne Gardens or other Bield developments, visit www.bield.co.uk
Retirement complex warms to super-safe Barlo LST radiators
A residential retirement development in West Sussex has replaced its outdated, inefficient radiators with highly efficient, ultra-modern low surface temperature (LST) models from Barlo Radiators – keeping vulnerable residents safe, warm and comfortable, while making substantial cost and carbon savings. Schaffer House in Maidenbower is a sheltered housing complex for the over-65s, which comprises 46 flats and a number of communal facilities for residents – including a lounge, laundry room, hairdressing salon, guest accommodation and gardens. The heating system serving the communal lounge and hallways had previously been made up of an old-fashioned, non-condensing boiler and antiquated LST radiators, which were beginning to leak and had no temperature controls. This setup not only made it difficult to maintain a comfortable environment for residents, but was also resulting in significant heat wastage and higher-than-average bills. In a bid to enhance residents’ safety and comfort, Crawley Borough Council (which manages Schaffer House) decided to overhaul the entire heating system as part of wider improvement works. In the communal areas, this involved replacing the boiler with a new water source heat pump, and the existing emitters with 61 super-efficient LST radiator packages from leading British manufacturer Barlo Radiators. As a result, the council will see a combined annual Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) income and ongoing savings of up to £12,700, as well a 49 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. Carl Himsworth, Gas Manager at Crawley Borough Council, explains: “When it came to upgrading Schaffer House’s heating system, improving efficiency was crucial. We initially considered replacing the old boiler with a ground source heat pump, but the property didn’t have enough land to allow for the necessary groundworks, so we opted for a water source heat pump instead. This works by drawing renewable heat from a nearby stream, provided temperatures are above freezing – with the back-up of a gas boiler that only kicks in if the heat demand is particularly high.” The Barlo LSTs installed at Schaffer House feature advanced radiator technology that delivers optimal efficiency and heat transfer, even at Delta Ts as low as 30°C – making them the perfect match for low water temperature renewables like heat pumps. Horsham-based Baystar Energy was contracted to carry out all heating installation works at Schaffer House, including the water source heat pump and the LSTs. Carl continues: “As a water source heat pump is a renewable technology, pairing it with the right heat emitters was vital to ensure maximum performance – and the Barlo LSTs do just that, providing excellent heat output at lower water temperatures. Maximising safety was a further consideration during this project, so the fact that the LSTs are fully compliant with all the necessary health and safety regulations was another plus. This includes NHS Safe Surface Temperature guidelines, which help protect Schaffer House’s more vulnerable residents from injury if their skin accidentally comes into contact with the LST casing. Thanks to the excellent team at Baystar, all the installation works went smoothly from start to finish – and the impressive financial and environmental savings that the building is now generating speak for themselves.” Independently tested in an EN442-accredited laboratory, the Barlo LSTs installed at Schaffer House are certified to meet BS EN442 standards. They comply with NHS Safe Surface Temperature guidelines (max. 43˚C) when operating at a maximum flow temperature of 80˚C and a return of 60˚C, or a maximum flow temperature of 75˚C and a return of 65˚C. The emitters included in the package are Hi-Lo Compact panel radiators, which feature third-generation technology that is unique to Barlo. This means they offer better heat transfer, lower water content, and the best heat outputs available – maximising energy savings and minimising running costs across the whole system. Dave Thornback, Sales Director – Trade at Barlo Radiators, concludes: “Barlo has a longstanding working relationship with Crawley Borough Council, so we were delighted to be asked to work with them once again on this project. Our LSTs are specifically designed for use in applications catering for vulnerable people (such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, social housing and other public buildings) – making them absolutely ideal for Schaffer House. “As well as ticking all the council’s boxes in terms of delivering improved efficiency and safety, our solution also resolved another issue at hand: lack of controllability. Barlo LSTs feature safe, simple and intuitive temperature controls, so gone are the days when the communal areas were either too hot or too cold! They are also quick and easy to keep clean thanks to their unique forward-opening hinge. This is a key consideration for a project like this, where hygiene is a particular priority.” Barlo LSTs come with all the components needed for hassle-free fitting and ongoing operation, and boast an anti-microbial, MRSA-resistant coating for optimum cleanliness. They also feature heavy-duty pencil-proof grilles that allow air to circulate effectively, while simultaneously preventing foreign objects from accessing the emitter underneath. For more information about the Barlo LST range, or any of the products in the company’s market-leading Barlo Panel or Barlo Design radiator ranges, please visit www.barlo.co.uk or call 01633 657 000.
Malden House care home delivered training about dementia to students from Sidmouth College
Malden House care home delivered theoretical and practical training about dementia to a group of 15 students from Sidmouth College. The aim of the sessions – to give teenagers empathy about what a person effected by dementia goes through. As part of Dementia Awareness week the college was invited to visit Malden House to work with the staff and residents. The first session on Monday 21st May Mrs Whitworth took 15 students to receive dementia awareness training from the staff at the care home because the Year 10 students from Sidmouth Collage are studying Btec Health and Social care. During the training the staff shared their care values and gave the students strategies to use when working with someone suffering from dementia, these included how to empower people, keep dignity intact and encourage independence. During the second session on Thursday 24th May students returned to the Care home to work with the residents in a variety of activities, putting their new training into practice to assist with the sensory garden, arts and crafts and cooking. Quotes: Agnieszka Orlowska is the Registered Manager of Malden House: It was great to see the students learning so much about dementia – some of them became emotional and showed a lot of passion about what we do at Malden House! I can tell the students really benefitted from the training – after the first session we received a phone call from the college to ask if they can stay for longer (for the second session) because they felt that an hour wasn’t enough. It feels amazing to know that we can make the difference to share our knowledge with the younger generation about people living with dementia! Lisa Whitworth coordinates health and social care course and helped to organise the visits to Malden House: “The students loved it they spent a lot time getting to know the residents then they made a display board to share and what they learnt about the whole experience and the individual residents such as favourite pastimes and interests. I think the students learnt how to communicate effectively with those who live with dementia. The students have been studying care values so the project came at a good time to put the learning into practice and the students are talking about returning to the care home to do work experience and voluntary work! www.sidmouthcollege.devon.sch.uk
John Grover wins NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018
John Grover of Auchtercrag House Care Home, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, was crowned 2018 NACC Care Chef of the Year, yesterday (Wednesday 6 June), following a thrilling national final. The prestigious National Chef of the Year culinary competition, organised by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), seeks out the UK’s best chef working in the care sector. Barking & Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy hosted the final, where 12 chefs from across the country showcased their talents under the expert scrutiny of the panel of judges. They all demonstrated exceptional culinary skills, creativity and knowledge in the specialist field of care catering. The standards of all the finalists were incredibly high, which made for an exciting contest, however, John stood out to claim first place and the coveted title thanks to his excellent menu of Lamb with black pudding and herbs followed by Chocolate and raspberry fondant cheesecake with caramel port cream. The judges were impressed with John’s well-presented, unique dishes that showed inventive use of classic ingredients, featured varied textures and, of course, tasted great. They also highlighted his excellent use of inexpensive produce. From a nutritional perspective, his knowledge and understanding of the needs of care home residents was praised. John said on winning: “I’m absolutely elated to have won. This is the fourth year I’ve entered the competition and my second time in the final. It’s been a long time coming. “This year’s menu has been a year in the planning. I took on board the judges’ comments from previous years, practised in a different kitchen, and got my residents and various people in and out of the industry to try my dishes and give feedback. Planning and practice was definitely the key.” Martin McKee of The Hawthorns, Aldridge, took second place, with Brian Gollan of Ivybank House Care Home, Polmont, Falkirk, taking third place. Brian Gollan was also awarded Highly Commended Main and David Oswin of Loxley Park, Sheffield, took the certificate for Highly Commended Dessert. Neel Radia, the NACC’s national chair, said: “Congratulations to John Grover. Winning the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018 title is an awesome achievement. It was an exciting and closely-fought final, so John should be incredibly proud of himself, as should all of the finalists. “The NACC works hard to raise the profile of care chefs and the specific culinary skills, knowledge and flair this field of catering requires. Yesterday, the finalists brought our clear message to life. They demonstrated how talented care chefs are and wowed the judges and spectators with the incredible dishes they created. This fantastic competition helps us ensure that care chefs up and down the country receive the recognition and respect they deserve for the challenging and rewarding work they do. Every day, care chefs improve the lives of the vulnerable and elderly in care settings, through delicious, stimulating and appropriate food experiences.” Sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Cooks and Premier Foods, the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition is designed to continually challenge care chefs and celebrate their excellent talent, skills and professionalism. It also raises the profile of care catering as a rewarding, dynamic career choice. The competition requires entrants to create a nutritionally-balanced, two-course menu (main and dessert) that is suitable for service users in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses must be no more than £2.25 per head based on three portions and it is to be produced in just 90 minutes. For more information on the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018 competition visit www.thenacc.co.uk
