Infection prevention and control

Our Infection Control team is committed to the development and maintenance of a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Our commitment to keeping you safe

Whilst not all infections are preventable, a proportion of healthcare-associated infections are. With that in mind, infection prevention and control and basic hygiene are at the heart of good management and clinical practice and therefore vitally important to the work we do at Benenden Hospital.

We've introduced thorough pre-admission screening, invested in high tech theatres, provided extensive training for our own cleaning teams, and are Matron-led to ensure that our strategy to enable a clean, infection-free environment is adhered to at all times.

Our high-tech and methodical approach to infection control means we offer a safe, clean environment, with no cases of Bacteraemia or Septicaemia related to MRSA, and no cases of Clostridium Difficile (as defined by the Department of Health) - since 2002.

We always seek to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to provide effective protection of patients, staff and visitors health from hospital-acquired infection, communicable disease and antibiotic resistance.

I have a question about visiting Benenden Hospital

How safe is it to come to Benenden Hospital?

You can rest assured that we have the strictest hygiene and infection control measures in place to protect our patients, staff and visitors.

Will I need to wear a face mask and gloves when I visit the hospital?

Since Tuesday 31 January 2022, you've not been required to wear a face mask when visiting the hospital. However, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay at home.

There's no need for you to wear gloves when attending your appointment, as we have hand hygiene stations throughout the hospital for you to use.

Do you have hand sanitiser available?

Hand sanitiser is provided at the main entrance and is situated at the entrance of every department. We request that you use it as you move around the hospital.

Can I bring a friend or relative to the appointment with me?

Where possible, you should attend your outpatient appointment alone. However, if you are visiting our Eye Unit or you have additional support needs, you can be accompanied.

Visiting the ward is permitted but restricted to one nominated friend or visitor.

If your friend or relative has developed any of the following symptoms of COVID-19, they must not visit the hospital:

A high temperature
A new, continuous cough
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick, diarrhoea
Other flu-like symptoms

Can I get refreshments while I’m waiting?

The Pavilion is open and serving refreshments.

I have a question about COVID-19 guidelines

I think I have coronavirus/flu symptoms? Should I still attend my appointment?

Please do not come to the hospital if you’ve developed any of the following symptoms:

A high temperature
A new, continuous cough
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick, diarrhoea
Other flu-like symptoms

Will I need to isolate before my procedure?

You may wish to self-isolate for three days before your procedure/operation to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19.

If you're unable to do this, we recommend that you maintain good hand hygiene practices and carry out social distancing for three days leading up to your procedure for your safety and to minimise the risk of post-operative complications, should you develop COVID-19 immediately following your surgery.

Hand hygiene

Monthly Hand Hygiene Audits are completed in all clinical areas, and assessments and training is completed in non-clinical areas using a U.V. light box and torch. This ensures that our high standards are maintained across the organisation.

How we maintain hand hygiene

Cleanliness and MRSA

We're proud of our zero rate for MRSA blood stream infections and do all we can through this rigorous screening programme to maintain this excellent record.

Inpatient MRSA screening

Decontamination Services

Our on-site Decontamination Services Department is responsible for the decontamination of reusable medical devices received into, used by and sent out from the hospital.

About Decontamination Services

Clostridium Difficile

We have a strict Clostridium Difficile (C.Difficile) policy to ensure that neither patients, visitors nor staff enter the hospital if suffering from C.Difficile.

Our C.Difficile policy

Norovirus

Norovirus - also known as the winter vomiting virus or bug - is extremely contagious. We work hard to reduce the risk of norovirus to our patients, visitors, and staff.

Reducing the risk from Norovirus

Antibiotic Resistance

As members of the Antibiotic Guardian scheme, we're working hard to contribute to the safe use of antibiotics and to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections.

Antibiotic Resistance