A private ambulance service which was carrying defibrillators without batteries, using equipment two years out of date, and leaving open clinical waste bags in vehicles, has been banned from working for the NHS.

The firm, which promoted itself as “providing exceptional care at all times”, has been used by NHS providers and private firms to transport patients in Nottinghamshire and across the country, as well as providing emergency medical assistance at events.

But, after an inspection by the Care Quality Commission in March, the firm was sent a letter from the Government’s chief inspector of hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards.

He said systems were not in place to prevent the spread of infection, not enough life-saving equipment was available, medications were not stored properly and were out of date, and quality of service was not monitored.

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Ambulance-firm-banned-NHS/story-27690615-detail/story.html#ixzz3kTUOdM00

Once again, amid more serious matters the state of clinical waste management appears in an adverse CQC report.

In this case, an open clinical waste bag might seem to be at best debatable. Was it open and spilling its contents over the floor, or properly wall mounted but without a cover?

On the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum we has over many years questioned the suitability of clinical waste plastic sacks in ambulances since these can and quite often do present a slip and trip hazard for staff. Much better are wall mounted Bio-bins since these are less obtrusive when wall mounted, can be opened and closed temporarily with ease, and seal and stack securely when filled.

Surely, must better when standing to tend a patient in the back of a speeding ambulance?