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"Persistently poor hand hygiene"

About: Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service

(as a service user),

I attended to donate blood in Broughshane recently.

The health care assistant who did my finger prick did not do any hand hygiene after their previous patient or before they pricked my finger. I observed them after I left, flicking through their phone and playing with their hair. They did not do any hand hygiene.

I reported this to the deputy sister who reminded the staff member and their colleagues about the importance of hand hygiene.

Unfortunately, I am very vigilant because this is the third consecutive visit to donate blood where this has happened to me. I report this every time and complete comment cards but this poor practice continues. On my last visit, the staff member had the same pair of gloves on for at least the 3 patients I observed.

Can I ask, what IPC training do the HCAs receive and how often are spot check audits of hand hygiene compliance conducted?

I am a great advocate of donating blood but the persistent poor standard of  hand hygiene would make me reluctant to donate in the future as I feel it is putting me at risk.

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Responses

Response from Catherine Casey, Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service last month
Catherine Casey
Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service
Submitted on 08/05/2025 at 11:05
Published on Care Opinion at 12:18


Thank you taking the time to highlight your concerns regarding hand hygiene at the recent session you attended.

NIBTS takes infection prevention and control very seriously. We have a hand hygiene policy in place which states “Hand hygiene must be carried out immediately before each and every episode of direct donor contact/care and after any activity or contact that potentially results in hands being contaminated.”

We are very sorry that this was not your experience on the day.

All donation staff will be reminded of the importance of hand hygiene.

If you would like to raise this as a complaint, or provide any further information, you can do so by emailing complaints@nibts.hscni.net

Best Regards,

Catherine Casey

Senior Nurse Lead

NIBTS

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