"Hand Hygiene"

My mother-in-law has been in Wishaw General for some four weeks and on visiting her last week was surprised that the ward door was closed, the nurse explained this was because of infection precaution.   The ward had four patients including my mother-in-law who had no knowledge of any patient having any infection.   I pointed out to her the urgency in making sure she had a regular hand cleaning regime and was taken aback when I asked if she was given hand wipes prior to her meals that she said they weren't.  As she is unable to reach the washing gel at the end of the bed this meant she could not clean her hands prior to any food.    

I asked the nurse in charge if she could make sure that my mother-in-law was given adequate hand cleaning facilities she said she would and when I enquired that I thought this was standard procedure I was advised that they only give hand wipes when asked.

I would not like to think that this is hospital policy as with many older people they need prompted to hand cleaning and what about patients with the onset of dementia.

Also surely a patient with any infection that warrants the ward door being closed should be in a side room, but I bow to my lack of medical knowledge.