"Worried about spread of germs"

I have just spent 11 days in the Royal Bolton Hospital Ward C4. No complaints: staff, nurses, doctors, food. All first class.

I talked to a nurse about the spread of germs within the hospital - My story may seam a bit raw but it is true.

Three other people in my quad, all doing the same: sleep on and off during the night, wakening occasionally to use the water bottle, possibly pick my nose, scratch my groin.

Wakened by the nurse about 8-00am to wrap the blood pressure inflatable around my sweating arm, place a clip on my finger for blood count, take my temperature in the ear (disposable tip), take my pulse.

Then move on to the next patient (No equipment cleaned).

I understand there were 27 patients and only one machine working. Therefore, the sweat and finger germs get nicely mixed between the 27 patients.

9-00am: breakfast cereal, toast and marmalade, great but all with dirty hands.

9-30: wash time.

Could this not be reversed, and some way found to clean

the inflatable and finger clip between patients?