Bosses at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital have been told to take urgent action to minimise the risk of contamination between dirty and clean surgical equipment.
A flash inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) found sterile devices in operating theatres had been stored in a “dirty” area.
Inspectors found the standard of cleanliness in the theatre area was much better than during an earlier visit in March.
Two out of three areas for improvement have been met in full, a report from the latest inspection in June found.
But the watchdog is still unhappy with the way sterile equipment is kept.
The HiE report found a new theatre storeroom had been built since the last inspection and was “clean and tidy” and managed well.
“However, a storage room containing clean and sterile items opens directly into the disposal room area in theatre 2,” the report said.
“Also, sterile gloves are stored in a cupboard in the disposal room.
“It is not appropriate to store clean and sterile equipment in a disposal room as this is a ‘dirty’ area.”
Aberdeen Maternity Hospital treats women and babies from across Grampian, Shetland and Orkney and carries out neo-natal surgery on those born in the Highlands.
It deals with about 6,000 births a year.
Dr Roelf Dijkhuizen, Medical Director, NHS Grampian, said staff at all levels of the hospital had been working hard to address the issues raised by previous inspection teams.
“Of the three requirements listed at the last inspection, two were fully met, one partially met. We have now implemented the HEI’s recommendations around the storage of theatre supplies and erected a door which provides an extra physical barrier between the disposal and storage areas.
“Infection control precautions around waste and linen management are strictly adhered to in this area to manage any remaining risk.”