Overview
Our Infection Control Team is a dedicated department with the responsibility for advising and educating staff at all levels on how to prevent and reduce cross-infection in the hospital.
A really simple – but effective – method to prevent infection is good hand hygiene. Effective hand hygiene can prevent the transfer of infection from one patient to another, and alcohol rub gel can be found at bedsides as well as at the entrance to the wards, the focus for hand hygiene should be where it is most effective, which is at the point of patient care.
A safe and clean environment is very important at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and this includes helping everyone understand what we can do together to reduce the risk of infection in hospital. Infection control is everyone’s responsibility.
The Trust takes cleanliness and hygiene very seriously within the various wards and departments. If you are concerned about any cleanliness issues, please do let a member of staff know.
You are encouraged to ask all healthcare workers to clean their hands before carrying out any care.
Useful Links & Information
For the protection of our patients and staff, if you or a family member are experiencing diarrhoea & vomiting or flu like symptoms please do not visit our wards or departments until 48 hours after your symptoms have gone. This includes any children who have shown signs of illness or those who have spent time with friends displaying these symptoms.
If you have an appointment at a clinic or are due to come into hospital please contact the area to see if your appointment is urgent, or if it can be rescheduled until you are feeling better.
We are appealing to our community to try and help us to keep your hospital free from Flu and Norovirus more commonly known as the ‘winter vomiting’ bug.
If you have any concerns, then please ask the nurse-in-charge of the ward or contact the Infection Prevention team on: 01322 428812.
Norovirus is a particular problem for hospitals for two main reasons; because we are looking after already unwell people, some of whom have a reduced immunity or who are elderly and frail and therefore are more susceptible to infection. Also as Norovirus is highly infectious it can seriously affect the services within a hospital. In most cases there is no benefit in people with this type of gastrointestinal infection being in hospital if they do not have some other more serious condition, however the very young and elderly may become dehydrated.
Norovirus is highly infectious and causes a very unpleasant but generally short-lived illness from which people usually recover without any treatment. The main symptom is vomiting, which can come on very suddenly and is often accompanied by diarrhoea. Some people may suffer with a raised temperature, headache and even aching limbs. If you do have any of these symptoms then the advice is simple: do not visit loved ones in hospital or nursing homes until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours. You should also stay away from work, or school until you have fully recovered.
If symptoms persist, you become dehydrated, have an underlying medical condition or are genuinely concerned; you should contact your GP or call NHS111 for advice.
Please click here to view the National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England.