30/01/2013

HIQA Report 'Highly Critical' Of Hospital Hygiene

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have published 14 hygiene and infection prevention reports.

The reports findings are highly critical of the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick, South Tipperary General in Clonmel, Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe and Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin.

An inspection of Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin found that all clinical areas examined, with the exception of the Emergency Department, were generally unclean, the HIQA has said.

Inspectors also reported problems at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown and the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

HIQA says that poor hand-washing practice in many Irish hospitals is potentially putting patients at risk of acquiring a hospital infection.

It also says some immediate serious risks to patients were found, with Emergency Department patients being accommodated with patients with communicable diseases.

These are the first HIQA hospital hygiene inspection reports since 2010.

Inspectors will revisit the poorly performing hospitals within six months and other hospitals can expect inspections over the coming months.

(H)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

20 March 2015
Hiqa Report Leads To New Hospital Hand Hygiene Requirements
A number of new measures are to be introduced to tackle hand hygiene in hospitals. It follows unannounced inspections carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) at 49 of the 50 public acute hospitals between February 2014 and January 2015.
14 November 2014
HIQA Report Critical Of Cavan Hospital Hand Hygiene
A report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has found an increase in Clostridium difficile at Cavan General Hospital. The report follows an unannounced inspection which was carried out on 9th October. Two surgical wards were inspected by HIQA during the visit.
06 June 2014
HIQA Report On Limerick Hospital 'Appalling' - FF
A Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report on the University Hospital Limerick, which it says is ‘not fit for purpose’ has been described as "appalling".
19 August 2013
Call For Safety Standards Audit At Waterford Hospital
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health, Billy Kelleher TD, has called for a full audit of health and safety procedures at Waterford Regional Hospital. The request comes after a HIQA report found unsafe hygiene practices at the hospital.
13 June 2013
Protection Of Life During Pregnancy Bill Published
The Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill has been published by the government following approval by the Cabinet. Several significant changes have been made to the outline of the Bill, which was published in April. The Minister for Health will be given the power to stop suspended an institution if deemed to be operating the Act inappropriately.