Besam is installing thirty automatic door systems for Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon as part of a £2.5 million ongoing refurbishment of six wards.
Besam says the installation fulfils a long-term goal for the Trust’s infection control team. Marlis Emery, infection control specialist, said: “The automatic doors help prevent infection spread by creating a physical barrier. The biggest spread is often through hand contact, so the foot switch is an ideal solution as people do not put their hands on the glass door. The foot-activated opener is also convenient when staff are removing items such as bedpans. As they no longer have to use hands to open doors, we can further reduce the risk of infection spread.”
The hospital had previously erected temporary barriers when dealing with infectious patients, but these were timeconsuming to construct, only closed off two bays, and did not isolate the whole ward. During a Norovirus outbreak last December, six wards had to be shut down. The infection control team thus required a permanent solution that allowed them to shut off multiple bays and help prevent infection spread.
Both patients and staff are reportedly “responding favourably” to the new automatic door systems, which also provide quiet, privacy and dignity in the wards.
