Survey reveals 'hygiene dilemma'

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Some 37% do not have a dedicated area for decontamination, and one in three (32%) of them have to use a bathroom as an alternative.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which commissioned the study, described its findings as "shocking".

Dr Peter Carter, RCN chief executive and general secretary, said: "Having the time and space to clean and then store essential everyday hospital equipment such as IV stands, commodes and patient cushions is crucial in keeping patients safe from dangerous infections.

"It's shocking that some nurses have no choice but to store equipment in hospital bathrooms.

"People need to recognise that fighting infection is about much more than just hand washing."

More than one third (34%) of nurses who have responsibility for decontaminating patient equipment have never received any formal training in how to do it, and 39% said their organisation did not provide cleaning services 24 hours a day.

Dr Carter added: "Every trust should protect training budgets for nurses and make sure that every nurse in the country is given the opportunity to update their infection prevention training.

"Every nurse should have access to round-the-clock cleaning services.

"Overall, infection rates have been going down over the past couple of years, but that's from a very high point indeed."