"Wound infections and handwashing"

Last week I had a minor operation on a Gynae ward which necessitated four stitches and an overnight stay.

I noticed at the time that handwashing, notably one student nurse, was lacking and was concerned that one elderly lady with a huge infection had her open wound dressed by this nurse who then failed to clean her hands before going to help cut up sandwiches for a very elderly lady in the same bay.

Later the nurse came and checked my stiches and took my observations. I now have infections on both sites of my stomach, have a suspected urinary infection and feel drained.

I am upset because I think this could have been because of the lack of basic hygiene measures which at this level of training should be second nature and not need the prompting of relatives to use alcohol cleansers or the sinks to regularly wash between tasks. I worry about how vulnerable patients are able to resist infections on these wards.