A Fife hospital has been told to improve after eight out of 10 bed frames examined during an inspection were found to be contaminated.
Four of the 10 mattresses inspected on one ward were also said to be dirty when inspectors made an unannounced visit to Queen Margaret Hospital inDunfermline in September.
In addition, domestic staff were seen reusing household gloves to clean a number of different rooms, which is against national guidance as it increases the risk of contamination.
Dust was also discovered in high level areas such as curtain rails, and walls in one ward were damaged.
Despite this, the inspectors found that generally, other patient equipment was clean.
While the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) praised many areas of good practice at the hospital, health chiefs were given four requirements to improve.
NHS Fife was told it must ensure all patient equipment was clean and ready for use in a bid to reduce the risk ofcross-infection to patients, staff andvisitors.
Inspectors said the board should also demonstrate a consistent approach to mattress inspections across all wards and departments and ensure domestic staff used the correct protectiveequipment.
The final requirement was to ensure all wards complete standard infection control precaution audits and monitor compliance.
The hospital was praised in several other areas, including staff adherence to infection prevention and controlprecautions and the management of peripheral vascular catheters.
The inspectors examined ward four (mental health), ward five (geriatric/medical), ward six (geriatricrehabilitation) and ward seven (long-term/end-of-life care).
Jacqui Macrae, head of quality of care for HEI Scotland, said: “In thisinspection we saw staff adhering tothe majority of standard infectionprevention and control precautions.
“We also saw areas where the hospital could perform better.”
She added: “We will continue tomonitor the safety and cleanliness at Queen Margaret Hospital to ensure standards continue to improve.”
NHS Fife chief executive PaulHawkins said the board was fullycommitted to ensuring hospitalenvironments were of the very highest standard.
“The report published by theHealthcare Environment Inspectorate rightly highlights areas of strength along with identifying where remedial action is necessary.
“We note the contents of the report and a detailed action plan has been agreed to address issues highlighted.”
He said many of the actions had already been carried out.