Aims – There was concern as to how frequently clinical sharps trays are cleaned. Micro-organisms responsible for hospital acquired infection can contaminate the hospital environment and medical equipment can act as a vehicle for transfer to patients. Clinell wipes (or equivalent) are a convenient way to decontaminate the trays. They have a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, including MRSA. The aim of the audit is to increase the proportion of clinical trays that are cleaned after use.

Methods – The audit standard states that 100% of clinical trays should be decontaminated after use. Data was collected on a prospective observational basis with documentation of whether the individuals observed, decontaminated a tray after use. It was also noted which wards had wipe holders and the availability of wipes in clinical rooms was recorded on several occasions. Forty individuals were observed during the four week audit period.

Results – 20% of nurses, 5% of doctors and no HCAs or medical students cleaned the trays after use. Six of the 13 wards did not have wall wipe holders in their clinical rooms. Wipes were available on wards with wall holders 85% compared to 63% of the time on wards without holders.

Conclusions – The audit standard is far from being met with just 10% of trays being decontaminated after use. This audit, performed in a district general hospital, identified the problem of poor decontamination of trays taken from bedside to bedside and is likely applicable to many hospitals and is an important issue as NHS hygiene standards are always under scrutiny.

Audit recommendations; 1) Addition to decontamination policy to itemise specific guidance for sharps trays 2) Clinical wipe wall fixings in all clinical rooms 3) Dissemination of audit findings to clinical staff 4) Posters in all clinical rooms, promoting tray decontamination.