Alexandra Private Hospital

We assessed all key questions within safe and rated it as requires improvement.

We found a breach of regulation 12 safe care and treatment. We found that the service did not have a robust process in place for incident reporting which resulted in incidents not being investigated in a timely manner. We found that theatres were staffed with the appropriate numbers and mix of staff . The service was fully equipped with suitable equipment however audits and safety checks of the equipment were not always being completed in line with policy. We found out of date and missing equipment on the ward and an out of date oxygen cylinder in theatre. In the patient bathrooms the emergency pull cords were tied up and not free hanging.

Sharps bins were labelled correctly; however, we observed sharps bins in the consultation room and theatre that had been left open

Patient rooms were clean and tidy with appropriate waste bins in each room. The consultation room was mainly clean and tidy.

Staff were confident about raising concerns and that they were investigated by management with the outcome of investigations used as a learning opportunity.There was a safe system in place for recording the patient pathway. A safe pathway was in place should a patient deteriorate and require emergency care. Staff were aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and how to take appropriate action. Patients were involved in discussions around the risks and benefits of their surgery. Staff received appropriate training.

The hospital was safe and secure with all areas secured with key coded locks.

The service had an infection prevention and control policy and hand hygiene policies in place. Controlled drugs were kept safely in an appropriate location which had been approved by the home office. We saw evidence that regular counts of controlled drugs were taking place.