Ward 9B

Introduction

Ward 9B is a Medical Ward which specialises in Dermatology, Rheumatology and Neurology.

The ward is lead by a Modern Matron, 1 Ward Manager and is supported by a nursing team comprising of Ward Sisters/Charge Nurse, Staff Nurses, Health Care Assistants and Student Nurses. They all work closely with all members of the multidisciplinary team.

Although it is a very busy ward we aim to give high standards of care in a friendly and relaxed environment.

It is based on the 9th floor of the Tower Block.

What to Expect When You are Admitted to Our Ward

You may be admitted from a waiting list and these routine admissions are as follows:-

• Tuesday 11.00am Rheumatology
• Thursday 8:30am Dermatology
• Thursday 9:30am Neurology

Whilst we can pre book you a date for admission we cannot always guarantee a time to show you to your bed space, although we will endeavour to do this as soon as possible.

Then one of the Nurses will come and ask you some questions and complete any necessary paperwork. You will then be seen by the Doctor for your specilaity who will examine you and ask some more questions and explain your plan of care.

Although you will be admitted to a mixed sexed ward, the ward itself is divided so either sex have their own toilet, bathing and sleeping areas.

Please be aware that the Trust is now a smoke free NHS. Smoking is not permitted in any building or within the grounds of any of our sites. Information and support is available to any patients who wish to stop smoking. Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available to help reduce your cravings during your stay.

Consultant Ward Rounds / When Will I See a Doctor?

You will be seen by someone from the Medical team all weekdays with Consultant Ward rounds taking place on: -

Dermatology: - Monday pm and Thursday am

Rheumatology: - Wednesday pm and one other day depending on the Consultant you are under.

Neurology: - Monday pm and Thursday pm

If at anytime you are concerned about your care, please speak to a member of staff so that any problems can be sorted as soon as possible.

Medicine Rounds

Medicine Rounds take place at: -
6.00am, 8.00am, 12.00pm, 6.00pm and 10.00pm

Facilities

Facilities on the Ward include: -

1 shower
3 baths
6 toilets / wash areas
Physio / Occupational Therapy room
4 x 6 bedded wards
4 side rooms
2 Treatment room

Mealtimes and Catering

Meals on the ward are served at the following times: -

Visitors

Visiting times are: - 3.00pm - 4.30pm and 6.00pm - 8.00pm

We welcome visitors to the ward between these times, but request only 2 visitors per bed at any one time. Visiting outside of these hours is by prior agreement with the Nurse in charge, and at their discretion.

How to Contact the Ward

You are welcome to contact the Ward but we would ask that where possible one person from each family rings and relays the information to the rest of your family and friends.

Telephone numbers: - 08454 22 5018 / 5350

Or Telephone Switchboard on 08454 22 2222 and ask for Ward 9B.

There is a patient phone which can be used to phone out or for relatives / friends to phone in.

Going Home

You will normally be advised of your impending discharge a few days prior to the actual day. Any follow up appointments are normally forwarded by post. On the day of discharge you will be asked to wait for your transport in the Discharge Lounge which is situated in the main entrance of the Tower Block.

Cleanliness and Infections in Hospital

Some patients in hospital have infections which require them to be cared for away from other patients to prevent spread of that infection.

They will be nursed in a single room with the door closed. Please follow all instructions given to you by members of staff.

If you do have any concerns about cleanliness of the ward of infection please speak to the staff.

If you have been in contact with chickenpox, measles or mumps within 3 weeks of your admittance to hospital, please inform a member of staff.

We ask that visitors suffering from minor infections such as a cold avoid visiting if possible, for their sake as well as the patients. We do not recommend babies being brought in to visit, again for their own protection.

Hand washing. The most common means by which infection is transmitted is by hand, therefore handwashing is a very basic, yet vital infection control measure. Alcohol hand gel is kept at the entrance of the ward and at each bedside for all the visitors to use before and after visiting. For hygienic hand disinfection apply 3ml (3 shots) to physically clean hands for 30 seconds ensuring all areas are covered, until dry.

Visitors are requested not to sit on patients beds, this is to help minimise the risk of spread of infection and for other health and safety reasons.

What is clostridium difficile? Also called c diff

It is a bacteria that normally lives in the intestine. Up to 5% of the population are thought to carry this without any problems. It is usually kept in check by other bacteria in the intestines, which are normally present in our gut.

What problems does clostridium difficile cause?

Some strains of c.diff produce toxins, these toxins (poisons) cause diarrhoea. It can only do this when the balance of the normal gut bacteria has been disturbed. This can happen when antibiotics are given for infections. This enables the c-diff bacteria to multiply and produce more toxins that damage the cells in the intestines causing diarrhoea.

How is it Diagnosed?

A sample of diarrhoea is sent to the microbiology lab within the hospital. The laboratory looks for c-diff the toxins produced by some strains of the bacteria

How can it be treated?

If it is possible the antibiotics that have contributed to the disease will be stopped. Sometimes other antibiotics will be given, which are effective against the c-diff bacteria

What should happen if someone has diarrheoa?

Whenever possible you will be moved into a side room, before the microbiology result of the diarrhoea specimen is known This is to help prevent the spread of this bacteria. Not all patients can be placed in side rooms. it will depend on the condition of the patient and the availability.

Personal hygiene must be very strict. Everyone must wash their hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before eating. If diagnosed as c-diff you may be transferred to the Cohort Ward (6A). this is a 16 bedded infection control ward dedicated to the management of patients who have or are suspected to have c-diff.

What is MRSA?

The organism Staphylococcus aureus is found on many individuals skin and seems to cause no major problems. However if it gets inside the body, for instance under the skin or into the lungs, it can cause important infections such as boils or pneumonia. Individuals who carry this organism are usually totally healthy, have no problems whatever and are considered simply to be carriers of the organism.

The term MRSA or methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is used to describe those examples of this organism that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Methicillin was an antibiotic used many years ago to treat patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections. It is now no longer used except as a means of identifying this particular type of antibiotic resistance.

Individuals can become carriers of MRSA in the same way that they can become a carrier of ordinary Staphylococcus aureus which is by physical contact with the organism. If the organism is on the skin then it can be passed around by physical contact. If the organism is in the nose or is associated with the lungs rather than the skin then it may be passed around by droplet spread from the mouth and nose. We can find out if and where Staphylococcus aureus is located on a patient by taking various samples, sending them to the laboratory and growing the organism. Tests done on any Staphylococcus aureus grown from such specimens can then decide how sensitive the organism is to antibiotics and if it is a methicillin resistant (MRSA) organism. These tests usually take 2-3 days.

Why bother with MRSA?

MRSA organisms are often associated with patients in hospitals but can also be found on patients not in a hospital. Usually it is not necessary to do anything about MRSA organisms. However if MRSA organisms are passed on to someone who is already ill, then a more serious infection may occur in that individual. When patients with MRSA are discovered in a hospital, the hospital will try to prevent it from passing around to other patients. This is known as infection control.

How do we prevent the spread of MRSA?

Measures to prevent the spread of organisms from one person to another are called isolation or infection control. The type of infection control or isolation required for any patient depends on the organism, where the organism is found on an individual and the patient.

The most important type of isolation required for MRSA is what is called Contact Isolation. This type of isolation requires everyone in contact with the patient to be very careful about hand washing after touching either the patient or anything in contact with the patient. If the organism is in the nose or lungs it may also be necessary to have the patient in a room to prevent spread to others by droplet spread. Because dust and surfaces can become contaminated with the organism, cleaning of surfaces are also important.

What do visitors need to do?

Provided relatives and friends of patients with MRSA are healthy there is no restriction on visiting and it carries no risk. Visitors are not required to wear special clothing BUT we would ask you to help us prevent this organism spreading around our hospital by keeping the patients' door closed at all times and always washing your hands whenever you leave the room.

What about MRSA at home?

In patients who are otherwise well the organisms often disappear once the patient leaves the hospital. Sometimes they do not however, and this may mean that when a patient has to go back into hospital the isolation precautions need to be used again. Provided everyone at home is healthy special precautions are not required at home.

What can be done about MRSA?

In certain situations it may be a good idea to try to get rid of the organism from a patient and this can be done with various creams and shampoos or on occasions combinations of antibiotics taken by mouth or by injection depending on the health of the patient.

Additional Information

A newspaper / trolley shop visits the ward daily in the morning.

There is a library service, run by volunteers, to the ward once a week.

The following can all be arranged if needed, please ask staff: - Chaplaincy, Hairdresser, Chiropodist, Interpreters

If English is not your first language, and you may require the services of an interpreter, please let the ward know before your admission, if at all possible.

If you are hearing impaired and need to sign, we may also be able to provide someone to help with this.

Any Questions?

If you have any concerns or comments during your stay please do not hesitate to speak to either of the Ward Sisters/Charge Nurse. They are always happy to discuss any issues you may have and if they are not on duty please speak to the Nurse in charge who will arrange a convenient time for you to meet them.