‘Talking’ nurses help spread hand hygiene message

A hospital trust has unveiled its latest weapon in the war on infections – a team of cardboard ‘talking’ nurses!

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is using the life-size figures at King’s Mill and Newark hospitals to help reduce infections such as MRSA and C-diff.

They remind patients, visitors and staff to clean their hands via an electronically recorded message which is activated by a motion-sensor as they walk by.

Three ‘nurses’ have been introduced at King’s Mill and one at Newark, with more set to follow over the coming weeks.  They will be located at the entrances of various wards and clinical areas to promote the importance of good hand hygiene.

East Midlands Strategic Health Authority has provided the figures as part of its ‘Hand in Hand, fighting infection together’ campaign.

This is an ongoing drive involving the region’s 23 NHS organisations to ensure patients and visitors know what infection prevention means, how infections can spread and the easiest way to prevent them – by proper hand-washing.

The campaign has involved bus advertising on main transport routes in each county. 

Meanwhile, infection control staff at King’s Mill and Newark hospitals have run hand hygiene demonstrations using the ‘Glow and Tell’ light box and given away information leaflets containing alcohol gel sachets.

Carolyn White, executive nursing director at the trust, said:  “These life-size figures are just some of the tools we’re using to remind patients, visitors and staff about the importance of cleaning their hands.

“They will be used on various wards and departments in the coming months to educate people that good hand hygiene is the most effective way of preventing infections.”