Holly Slyne, Associate Director of Infection Prevention at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, was announced the winner of the Greener Nursing Practice category of the RCN Nursing Awards 2023 at a ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral.
From observations and surveys, Ms Slyne identified eight trends in overuse of surgical gloves and aprons, and made a training package to address them, including TikTok videos, posters and screensavers. She also showed staff how some unnecessary use of PPE could actually spread infection.
Porters, domestic and catering staff received training in how to cut waste. The initiative is forecast to save 25,974kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), and £22,687 over the year. Awareness of unnecessary PPE also surged. Before Ms Slyne’s initiative, only 12% of nurses responded correctly to surveys on correct PPE use; this increased to 98% after it was introduced.
'Very proud'
Holly Slyne said: ‘I feel very proud of all our staff and especially the IPC Team for delivering such a phenomenal change to practice that has such a positive impact on both the environment and on the care that our patients receive.
‘Thank you to you all involved for all your hard work and support. It has encouraged staff to engage with IPC on other projects as a result, which is fantastic.’
Chair of the judging panel Joanne Bosanquet, Chief Executive of the Foundation of Nursing Studies and Fellow of the RCN, said: ‘We were blown away by the talent of all our nominees and finalists in the Greener Nursing Practice category. But the work to reduce PPE use really stood out. It had very clear aims and methodology and Holly Slyne’s leadership and staff engagement was outstanding. Carbon reduction is impressive, as are the cost savings.’