HIQA publishes findings of LUH unannounced inspection

Letterkenny University Hospital

AN UNANNOUNCED inpsection at Letterkenny Universtiy Hospital to examine compliance with control of infection regulations has found “generally acceptable”standards of cleanliness in the areas visited by inspectors.

The Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) today (Monday) publsihed its report of the Monitoring Programme against National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH).

An unannounced inspection was carried out at the hospital on the 28^th of June 2016. The areas assessed were Medical 3 Ward, the Renal Dialysis Unit and the Orthopaedic Ward and Medical 2 Ward were revisited.

Commenting Sean Murphy, General Manager, Letterkenny University Hospital said “We welcome this report and recognise the important and valuable role of HIQA in promoting safety and quality in the healthcare services. This report highlights the significant work we have all undertaken at LUH to improve and enhance the standards of environmental, equipment, and hand hygiene within the hospital and thereby reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections.

“Over the course of the last year, the hospital has undertaken a comprehensive revision and improvement of all aspects of the environmental and equipment hygiene process. This has included undertaking regular environmental hygiene audits, there have been improvement and upgrade works in some clinical areas supported by an on-going patient area renovation programme and the hospital has invested in new equipment. A mattress and bed replacement programme is in place within the hospital. We have addressed issued raised previously in relation to injection practices and multi-dose vials are now designated as single patient use across the hospital.

“In relation to hand hygiene practice HIQA noted that LUH has exceeded the HSE’s national target of 90% since October/November 2014. HIQA also noted that hand hygiene compliance was 93% among hospital staff for May/June 2016 which they stated “demonstrates further improvement”. HIQA noted that LUH had an “on-going commitment to improving hand hygiene practice”.

“The HIQA report published today notes that overall the standard of hygiene has significantly improved since the last inspection which was carried out in 2015 and that the hospital environment is generally clean. We are committed as a hospital team to protect the safety and welfare of our patients. The improvements highlighted in this report are as a result of the support and hard work of all staff across the hospital, including our domestic staff, our maintenance staff and all our clinical staff.

“I would like to acknowledge the on-going commitment and dedication of our staff in providing a patient centred approach and we will work together to build on the good practice highlighted in this report,” concluded Sean Murphy.

See Friday’s Donegal News for a full report on the HIQA inspection.

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