Cartello Ambulance

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

In the safe domain we found that vehicles were mainly in good condition, however some of the seating was tired on the older vehicles. Most staff felt vehicles were well maintained and told us if they were faulty they were promptly swapped and repaired. Vehicles were taxed, had a valid MOT and were insured. Leaders completed quality control checks around equipment and stock. Staff felt they received the training they needed to carry out their role and also completed shadow shifts with more experienced members of staff. In relation to infection prevention and control, vehicles were observed to be clean, there were processes in place for deep cleans and for staff to log details when cleaning had taken place; there were also processes in place for dirty linen. However, we did observe one member of staff wearing false nails and another raised concerns that seatbelts were not easy to clean.

This service scored 28 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safeguarding during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Involving people to manage risks during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We were only able to speak to 1 patient using the service as part of the assessment, they told us they were happy with the care staff provided. We reviewed patient questionnaires and saw 1 comment noted how although the patient was in extreme pain they had a comfortable ride in a vehicle.

We spoke with 8 staff in total as part of the assessment, including the service leaders. Most staff felt that the vehicles were well maintained; they told us if vehicles were faulty they were promptly swapped and repaired and spoke of recently having some newer vehicles. Staff told us they felt the vehicles were fit for purpose and how they had requested some pressure cushions due to some patients finding sitting in wheelchairs uncomfortable. Leaders told us how they had some satellite navigations systems which staff could borrow and that staff could report any issues with the vehicles or equipment through the service app.

As part of the on site assessment we completed 3 vehicle checks, however 1 was not in service. We found vehicles were mainly in good condition; however, some of the seating was tired on the older vehicles. The condition of the outside of the vehicles was good, medical gases were stored securely, essential equipment was available with checks having been completed. Vehicles were taxed, had a valid MOT and were insured. We noted that vehicle keys were stored securely.

Leaders completed quality control checks. Checks included areas such as if equipment and stock was present, if wheelchairs were complete with lap belts and foot plates as well as checking carry chairs, seatbelt extensions and stair chairs. Quality control checks showed that vehicle issues were identified; for example, when a side door handle had come off the vehicle. We reviewed the details of an incident that had occurred in relation to a new electric vehicle and staff not being aware of new lighting systems. Actions were taken as a result of the incident including arranging refresher training, modifications to the vehicle and sharing the incident with staff. Staff completed and recorded vehicle pre checks, we saw staff identified and recorded issues with vehicles or stock issues.

Trainers were qualified in areas such as oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid at work. These qualifications had been issued by an organisation who specialised in instructor training. Managers shared data that showed staff were tested on their knowledge of equipment such as carry chairs, stretchers, wheelchairs and all purpose patient transfer slides. The service also employed staff who had completed manual handling train the trainer training. Manual handling training included the completion of a knowledge test which involved a series of 20 questions on the main causes of manual handling related injuries. Topics also included what is dementia and consent.

Staff told us they received all the training they needed to carry out their role, they told us how they had received both formal training at the start of employment and learning from others on the job.

We were only able to speak to 1 patient using the service as part of the assessment, they told us they were happy with the care staff provided. We reviewed patient questionnaires which showed patients appreciated staff getting them to their destination safely and included comments on experienced crew.

Staff told us how they cleaned their vehicles on shift; they commented that when they were completing their vehicle checks in the morning, they could tell the vehicles had been cleaned due to the smell of cleaning products. When the vehicles come back into the base, staff took photographs of the vehicle post clean and logged it on the service app. Deep cleans were scheduled and recorded and the service employed an external cleaner who had just started in post.

Leaders kept job logs to show patient transport had been cleaned, additional information was also recorded such as what personal protective equipment (PPE) staff had used. Information around the cleaning of equipment in between patient journeys was logged on the patient log in the service app. Leaders completed quality control checks which included hand washing before and after patient movement, correct use of PPE and cleanliness of the vehicle interior and exterior. We noted that once checks had been completed, actions were identified such as 1 staff member needing to improve on their hand hygiene and the exterior of a vehicle needing to be washed. There was an infection, prevention and control policy in place; the policy was in date and version controlled. It included topics for staff on the chain of infection, breaking the chain of infection, reducing risk, handwashing and other best practice guidance.

Staff segregated all used linen and transferred it into a red bag, the bags were then stored in a locked facility within the car park. Clean linen was stored inside the base where it was stored appropriately. Domestic and clinical waste were segregated in an external area; we checked the the clinical waste bin and found it was locked. We carried out 3 on site vehicle checks and found vehicles to be clean. One staff member raised concerns seatbelts could not be effectively cleaned due to them being made of fabric. We observed one crew member was wearing false nails.

We were only able to speak to 1 patient using the service as part of the assessment, they told us that staff were wearing the appropriate uniform. We reviewed the patient questionnaires and complaints log and found there was no concerns raised relating to infection prevention control.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.