Blood contamination found in Raigmore Hospital theatre
Inspectors saw sections of theatre table mattresses placed on the floor after being washed, as well as blood contamination on several tables that had been cleaned.
NHS Highland has been ordered to improve the cleaning of theatre equipment at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) discovered contaminated equipment during unannounced inspections of the hospital in May.
Inspectors saw sections of theatre table mattresses placed on the floor after being washed and blood contamination on several tables that had been cleaned.
Two pieces of patient equipment were also found to be contaminated with blood, while others were either damaged or had tape or tape residue on them.
Damage was also found on some pressure-relieving mattresses and sections of theatre table mattress, while daily checklists were not up to date.
But inspectors praised the hospital for the "good" standard of domestic cleanliness in the wards and main theatre department.
They also found good staff compliance with infection control precautions and hand hygiene.
However HEI said documentation of advice given by the infection prevention and control team at the hospital must be improved, and systems and processes used in the main theatre department should be implemented in all outlying theatres.
Interim director of quality assurance Claire Sweeney said: "We expect NHS Highland to address these areas as a matter of priority and will continue to monitor the hospital"