The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published two reports on the prevention and control of Healthcare Associated Infections in public acute hospitals. HIQA carries out unannounced inspections in public acute hospitals in Ireland to monitor compliance with theNational Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections 2009. Inspections aim to assess hygiene in the hospital as observed by the inspection team and experienced by patients at any given time.

An unannounced inspection in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin on 23 August 2016 found that patient equipment and the environment was clean and well maintained on Paediatric Intensive Care Unit 1 and St Peter’s Ward. The hospital has consistently exceeded the HSE national target of 90% for hand hygiene compliance since May/June 2012 which is commendable.

Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital has successfully embedded a suite of infection prevention care bundles and audits into routine practice. The hospital had a robust programme in place to monitor Healthcare Associated Infection. A commitment to implementing evidence-based practice and to producing outcome-based information to inform any improvements needed was exemplary in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital. This demonstrates a strong focus on patient safety.

An unannounced inspection in Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital identified immediate high-risk findings in infrastructure and design. The Operating Theatre Department did not comply with international standards, HIQA standards, or basic best practice guidelines for surgical facilities, and was not fit for purpose. Due to inadequate storage facilities, sterile supplies were being stored inappropriately within operating rooms. The substantial amount of exposed pipe work and electrical wiring on ceilings and along walls did not facilitate effective cleaning. Furthermore, decontamination facilities for the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes within the theatre department were not in line with current good practice.

Some good practice was observed in relation to the implementation of care bundles. Surveillance is performed in the Hospital to determine the incidence of wound infection following caesarean section. This represents good practice and demonstrates a commitment to monitoring the quality of patient care. HIQA acknowledges that risks in respect of infrastructure cannot be addressed without major capital investment. However, some of the other risks identified on this inspection could be addressed in the short-term.

Hospitals must now revise and amend their quality improvement plan to prioritize the improvements necessary to fully comply with the standards.