Reports published by the Health Information Quality Authority following unannounced visits by their inspectors have revealed a poor standard of hygiene in Irish hospitals.
Five hospitals were inspected during June and July by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) – an independent body which scrutinises the quality and safety of the health service in Ireland – and a general lack of hand hygiene was found in each.
Furthermore, inspectors discovered issues such as patients with suspected communicable diseases being treated in open bays of Accident and Emergency Departments and the doors of isolation units – where patients with transmittable diseases were being treated – being left open as standard practise.
Among a catalogue of issues, the poor standard of hygiene in Irish hospitals was exemplified by inspectors finding five hygienic gel dispensers empty at the Waterford Regional Hospital; with several more blocked by congealed soap, and mould growing in patients´ shower units and around toilet areas.
In addition to the Waterford Regional Hospital, a poor standard of hygiene at Irish hospitals was identified at:-
- St Michael´s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire
- Portiuncila Hospital in Galway
- Louth County Hospital in Dundalk
- Our Lady´s Hospital in Navan
Commenting on the damming report into hygiene standards at Waterford Regional Hospital, its Clinical Director – Rob Landers – said that the hospital was “extremely disappointed” with the findings of the inspectors, but added that the hospital´s Accident and Emergency Department was extremely busy on the day that the inspectors made their unannounced visit.
He said that compulsory hand hygiene training would be introduced for all workers at the hospital in the future and that future hygiene breaches would become a disciplinary matter. Mr Landers reassured patients that it was safe to attend Waterford Regional Hospital despite the finding in HIQA´s report.