Raigmore nurses suffering at hand of hygiene measures
NURSES at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness are being made ill by measures introduced to help eradicate hospital superbugs, it has emerged.
Repeated handwashing by staff at the main hospital serving the strath has resulted in an increasing number developing the painful skin condition dermatitis, whose symptoms include redness, itching and burning.
This has led to some being placed on restricted duties and could even threaten their careers.
Although detailed figures are not available, Heidi May, nurse director with NHS Highland, admits it is “a big problem” at units throughout the region, while the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is currently preparing guidance on the issue for all its UK members.
The latest managerial policy issued to hospital staff in the Highlands instructs them to wash their hands or use special gels before and after touching every patient and following after coming into contact with “patient surroundings”.
There are even posters showing the best way to wash.
This has helped reduce the incidence of infections such as Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and clostridium difficile (C.Diff) — the were no cases of MRSA in April, May or June at any hospital in the area — while the health board achieved the national target of 95 per cent staff compliance in May, five months early.
But it has also had the unexpected consequence of spreading skin disease amongst workers.
“Dermatitis is becoming an issue,” Ms May acknowledged. “It is a career-limiting condition for some staff.”
She feels a balance has to be struck.
But NHS Highland chief executive Elaine Mead does not believe a change of policy is needed, pointing out the health board is simply following national guidelines.
Ros Derham, RCN officer for the Highlands, insists health officials must take responsibility for the wellbeing of their workforce.
“It is the duty of employers to look after the skin health of their staff,” she said.
“That is particularly important in healthcare because if a nurse or other member of staff can’t wash their hands or use hand gel due to dermatitis, then they can no longer carry out clinical work.
“It is therefore in the best interests of NHS Highland to make sure that good skin health is integral to their hand hygiene programme and adopt best practice to prevent and detect the early warning signs of this condition.
“Indeed, the Royal College of Nursing is currently developing guidance for our members on how they can avoid dermatitis and this will be published next year.”
