One extra cleaner on each hospital ward would save millions of pounds, research says

Lives would be saved and millions of pounds cut from NHS budgets if hospitals took on just one extra cleaner on each ward, according to new research.

The study for Unison found that an extra cleaner had a "measurable effect" on the clinical environment, cutting the number of patients who contracted MRSA and saving an estimated £30,000 to £70,000 per hospital.

The union sponsored microbiologist Dr Stephanie Dancer to carry out in-depth research into MRSA and cleaning at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

The findings revealed that enhanced cleaning led to a 32.5% reduction in microbial contamination at hand-touch sites, while cases of MRSA fell in the six months of targeted cleaning on one of the wards.

They rose again when the extra cleaner moved to another ward, which in turn saw the number of cases fall.

Dr Dancer's research focused on targeting cleaning around specific areas close to patient beds, such as lockers, trays, buzzers, curtains and the beds themselves.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: "MRSA has a devastating effect on patients and can cost lives. Dr Dancer's work has shone new light on the absolute importance of putting effective cleaning practices at the heart of infection control.

"It busts the myth that expensive solutions and disinfectants are needed to keep wards clean and it provides a blueprint for hospitals to cut their own infection rates."

Dr Dancer said: "It is very tempting to look for easy ways to clean a hospital ward. Look at all the wonderful ideas out there...bug-buster dusters, clean air machines, kill-all disinfectants and gases, electrostatic wall tiles, copper toilets, silver pyjamas and self-clean computers, for example.

"Whilst such things are innovative and interesting, we should not forget that basic hospital cleaning with detergent and water is the first line of defence against hospital infections. Cleaning is hard work, and complicated work, and the gadgets, gimmicks and gizmos cannot, and should not, replace a hospital cleaner."