‘Clean’ has to be ‘Cool’

LONDON - Don’t wait until you go to hospital. That is the message emerging strongly from early results of a Survey by the Patients Association. The vital importance of clean hands in the battle against infections is something that should be part of being at school or in the workplace.

An online and hardcopy survey of Patients Association members produced innovative ideas for schools and the workplace. Specifically designed to find out the infection prevention habits of its lay, non-clinical members, Infection Control - what do you know and want to know - the survey was sent to 2000 members and also available via the Association’s website.

“Infection prevention is the cornerstone of life. This is real ‘health and safety’ and should be part of the way schools and workplaces work encouraging pupils and employees to behave safely for themselves and each other” said Katherine Murphy, Director. “The Swine Flu pandemic is the ideal time to get this right, right now.” she added.

“We will never combat infection in clinical settings as long as the general public do not play their part from an early age. Not knowing about basic hand washing technique as a child inevitably leads to the problems in the future.”

Main findings of the Survey included:

- Patients’ want to choose where to go for hospital treatment based on the reputation of the doctors and team treating them - Patients are willing to travel further from home for safer treatment - Patients have innovative ideas for making sure infection prevention is taken seriously

Notes for editors:

The Survey was made possible through an unrestricted grant by the UK’s largest independent hospital group BMI Healthcare. Starting this month, the hospital group is launching a year-long campaign consisting of a series of events to inform and educate people about infection control. Events will take place inside several BMI hospitals during Infection Prevention Week next week (19-23 Oct). Then from November through September 2010, BMI hospitals will be offering free hand washing and hygiene training sessions to their local communities whereby small teams of infection control coordinators, nurses and other medical staff will offer the training on-site at local schools and businesses. .

John Von Klemperer, Managing Director of Hospital Operations for BMI Healthcare, said: “BMI is a proud supporter of the Patients Association and its ongoing campaign for cleaner hospitals. BMI provided an unrestricted grant for this research project because we feel it’s crucial to continue to raise further awareness of the importance of infection prevention not just in hospitals but also in our surrounding communities - most especially in schools and workplaces.”

“We are very proud to be able to offer these training sessions to our communities,” said Mr. Von Klemperer. “Especially in light of concerns around the spread of swine flu and most recently e-coli as well as due to the approaching flu season, we feel that this is a much-needed service. For local businesses, many of which are operating on stretched resources, now more than ever employers should be keen to promote infection prevention to protect the health of their employees as well as to reduce absenteeism.”

With 60+ hospitals and clinics across the country, BMI Healthcare has been at the forefront of the drive to improve clinical and non-clinical service standards across the independent sector. This includes ensuring unequalled attention to hygiene and involving patients in the process to minimise any risks of infection. This enables BMI hospitals to continually maintain an excellent record for cases and rates of MRSA, Clostridium Difficile and wound infection.

For more information about BMI Healthcare hospitals, please visit www.bmihealthcare.co.uk.

BMI Healthcare press contacts:

Linda Apeles at +44(0)207-0094544 or linda.apeles@ghg.co.uk

Or

Kayleigh Moore at +44(0)207-0094504 or kayleigh.moore@ghg.co.uk

www.patients-association.com

For further details contact Katherine Murphy, Director, or Vanessa Bourne, +44(0)208-423-9111.

Patients Association, PO Box 935, Harrow, Middx. HA1 3YJ

Source: BMI Healthcare

For further details contact Katherine Murphy, Director, or Vanessa Bourne, +44(0)208-423-9111. BMI Healthcare press contacts: Linda Apeles at +44(0)207-0094544 or linda.apeles at ghg.co.uk Or Kayleigh Moore at +44(0)207-0094504 or kayleigh.moore at ghg.co.uk