A HOSPITAL has been ordered to improve infection control procedures following an unannounced inspection.

A report found staff at Vale of Leven hospital in Inverclyde were unclear which protective gloves should be used for "high risk" tasks including exposure to blood borne viruses.

Inspectors said the health board's glove policy was "not consis-tent" with national infection control policies.

The report by Healthcare Improve-ment Scotland also found that some staff were unsure about the correct way to clean up blood spills in wards.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted staff knowledge of the correct dilution of chlorine products for cleaning spills was "poor".

Inspectors also observed evidence of "poor" waste disposal on three wards with clinical waste disposed of in a domestic bin.

However the report found senior charge nurses "spoke confid-ently" about standard infection control pre-cautions, monitoring activity and infection control activities.

Of 46 patients surveyed, 41 said the ward was always clean.

The inspection, on January 16, led to two requirements which have been listed as "high" priority.

Rory Farrelly, NHSGGC's acute director of nursing said: "We were pleased to note the number of positive findings at the Vale of Leven Hospital by the HEI inspectors.

"However, we recog-nise that there are still areas we need to address."

Earlier this year, it was revealed a report into a deadly outbreak of Clostridium difficile at the hospital would be delayed for a fifth time, angering families.

A total of 28 patients died during the outbreak, six years ago. The Vale of Leven Inquiry report was originally due to be published in May 2011. The latest delay comes as the inquiry team waits for responses from those expected to be criticised.

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk