Poor standard of cleanliness/ hygiene

Pharmacy type

Hospital

Pharmacy context

This is an outpatient pharmacy set within a city hospital. It processes approximately 10,000 prescription items under a private contract each month. The pharmacy does not have an NHS contract. It supplies medicines in monitored dosage system trays to about 200 discharge patients every month. It also provides a homecare service.

Relevant standards

• 3.1 - Premises are safe, clean, properly maintained and suitable for the pharmacy services provided
• 3.3 - Premises are maintained to a level of hygiene appropriate to the pharmacy services provided

Why this is poor practice

The pharmacy is not maintained to an appropriate level of cleanliness and hygiene.

What the shortcomings are

The premises were generally untidy and did not appear to be cleaned regularly. The dispensary was very cluttered and untidy and some shelving units were covered with thick layer of black dust. Medicines were haphazardly stored, and bulky items were stored on the floor. Dispensing bottles were stored in an area that was very dusty and unclean. A bin in the dispensary was piled high with waste. The staff kitchen area was cluttered and required cleaning. The sink contained dirty dishes. The cleaning equipment stored in the kitchen was dirty. Staff were responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the pharmacy and although the cleaning rotas were in place, the state of the premises suggested that the cleaning routines were not being followed. The flooring in the retail area wasn’t clean, and some areas had ingrained dirt on the floor. There was a pile of flat cardboard boxes and empty totes next to the pharmacy counter. The air conditioning unit appeared clogged with thick black dust and it was blowing out dirt.

What improvements are required

The pharmacy’s cleaning routines must be reviewed to ensure these are robust and the pharmacy provides an environment that is clean, hygienic and appropriate for the provision of healthcare.