If NHS hospitals wish to influence patients to choose them and, as the literature review suggests, cleanliness will be a key influencing factor in making that choice, it would seem important for hospitals to understand what factors lead people to decide whether a hospital is clean or dirty. The research aims to identify what the key factors are that influence patients' perceptions of cleanliness and to rank these factors in order of importance. MethodologyThe project utilised a mixed methodology to collect the data. The hospital staff and people who had been recent patients took part in focus groups in order to gather their views. The current hospital in-patients were surveyed through the use of a paper questionnaire. FindingsThe main themes that influence the perceptions of cleanliness emerging from the analysis can be summarised under three broad headings -appearance of the environment; physical cleanliness; staff behaviour.The findings suggest that this subject is much more complex than the production of a list. The appearance of the environment is a complex set of perceptions based on what individuals believe to be important, what they observe and what they expect. The research suggests that the appearance of the environment is the most important factor. Originality/valueThe paper starts to explore the factors that influence patient perception of cleanliness and provides practical information to NHS estates and facilities managers.
Purpose of this paperThe aim of the study was to investigate the extent to which practicing NHS facilities managers thought that the contribution of FM could be measured in terms of health outcomes. Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was distributed to NHS facilities or estate managers from the majority of NHS trusts in England and Wales. FindingsIn general, there is little or no evidence from pre-existing research to prove the contribution of FM in terms of health outcomes. However in spite of this 59% of facilities managers in the NHS believe that the contribution of FM could be measured yet only a relatively small number of Trusts (16%) have attempted to measure the contribution of FM. The analysis of the secondary data does not show any conclusive evidence of a correlation between FM and health outcomes. Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of the study did not extend to collecting empirical evidence to prove the contribution of FM to health outcomes -it was only focusing on whether facilities managers thought it was possible, and if so how they would measure the contribution. However, as part of the project some secondary data were tested for a relationship between FM services and health outcomes.
This paper examines the policy and guidance that was issued, either as a direct result of the NHS Plan, or part of a subsequent initiative, surrounding cleaning in the NHS. Design/methodology A literature review of the Department of Health and related agency websites was completed. In addition there was a literature of the relevant academic journals. Findings There is a growing evidence base on environmental cleaning in the NHS and more specifically the relationship between environmental cleaning and infection control. This paper has examined the contradiction in the evidence in the suspected correlation between infection control and environmental cleaning. However, one thing does appear to be consistent, is that a performance measure based on an observation (visual) assessment is not a sufficient tool to evaluate the environmental cleanliness of a hospital ward. Practical implications Whilst the clinical community recognise the contribution of environmental cleaning and the impact on healthcare, there needs to be more to be done to have the relevant studies published in the FM domain. Conversely there also needs to be work done to allow the FM community to have a "voice" in the infection control journals. The literature reviewed suggests that a usable technological solution is required to confirm satisfactory cleaning standards in healthcare facilities.
In the year 2000, the UK government promoted the concept that hospital services be shaped around the needs of the patient to make their stay in hospital as comfortable as possible and advocated the introduction of a ward housekeeper role in at least 50 per cent of hospitals by 2004. This is a ward-based non-clinical role centred on cleaning, food service and maintenance to ensure that the basics of care are right for the patient. In 2002 the Facilities Management Graduate Centre at Sheffield Hallam University completed a series of six case studies looking at the role within different NHS Trusts. These were developed through interviews and observations with the facilities manager, ward housekeepers and nursing staff and also by collecting documentary evidence such as job descriptions, financial details and training information. Common themes were identified, relating to experiences of developing and implementing the ward housekeeper role. This paper suggests models of best practice relating to role, recruitment, induction, training, integration and management.
Purpose-From December 2005, patients in the UK needing an operation will be offered a choice of four or five. These could be NHS trusts, foundation trusts, treatment centres, private hospitals or practitioners with a special interest operating within primary care. This is called "Choose and Book". The purpose of this research is to discover how critical facilities management service factors are in influencing a choice of hospital. The aim is to find out what the most important influencing factors are to people when making a choice of which hospital to have their operation. If facilities services and the patient environment are influencing factors in the patient experience, which are considered critical. Design/methodology/approach-Focus groups were used as the primary method of data collection. Findings-The study finds that all three focus groups placed more importance on clinical factors than facilities factors. High standards of cleanliness and good hospital food were the two facilities factors that participants in all groups placed most importance on. Cleanliness was highlighted by all three groups as a top facilities priority for the NHS at the moment and there was a general perception that private hospitals have better standards of cleanliness. Practical implications-By understanding how important facilities factors are in influencing patient choice and which ones have a critical impact, it will help NHS trusts focus on where they channel their resources. Originality/value-This paper is of value to NHS trusts who want to make effective use of facilities services in order to be competitive in attracting patients through the new patient choice framework.
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