Hygiene failings at Tallaght Hospital

A hygiene report for Tallaght Hospital has revealed significant shortcomings in relation to its cleanliness.

The report, which was the result of an unannounced visit by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), said that Tallaght Hospital has not maintained its level of hygiene compared to 2008, and that it failed to ensure that key aspects of hygiene services are delivered safely, efficiently and effectively.

A number of showers and toilets in the hospital were not visibly clean, and a residue with a mould-like appearance was observed on shower tiles.

The report observed that in the majority of areas the standard of hygiene was fair, but that chipped paint, damaged walls and a film of dust on high and low surfaces in a number of areas were noticed.

Damaged ceiling tiles were seen in bathrooms and broken venetian blinds and sticky tape residue were observed. Commodes, chairs and foot rests had torn covers and many areas were cluttered.

Checklists in bathrooms were not consistently used.

Significant failings were also detected in relation to the hospital’s equipment, medical devices and cleaning devices. In five of the eight areas visited, a number of intravenous and blood pressure stands were visibly not clean. Wheelchairs and mattresses were also visibly not clean, and a number of torn mattresses were noticed. Tabletop fans were described as dusty.

Equipment was reported to be cleaned after each patient use and on a regular basis. However, in five of the eight areas visited, schedules or sign-off sheets for cleaning medical equipment were not demonstrated.

HIQA expects all hospitals to achieve levels of compliance of over 85% in relation to its quality standards. This includes gaining grades of 85% or more in the seven core criteria. Tallaght Hospital only achieved A grades with over 85% compliance rates in two of the seven core criteria. It achieved three B grades of between 66 and 85% and two C grades of between 41 and 65% compliance.

HIQA remarked that Tallaght Hospital must improve its hygiene performance.

Meanwhile, a hygiene report on the Mercy University Hospital in Cork revealed that while it has made progress in its hygiene services since 2008, it did not meet all requirements. The Mercy achieved over 85% compliance, or A grades, in three of the seven core criteria, gaining B grades in the other four areas.

The report concluded that it must continue to improve its performance in order to provide safe, efficient and effective hygiene services.

[Posted: Tue 22/12/2009]