Health inspectors claim ‘an inadequate system of governance and management’ severely hampered efforts to contain a COVID-19 outbreak at Cahercalla Community Hospital in January.
A HIQA report published today, following an inspection of the facility at the time of the outbreak, found the nursing home ‘non-compliant’ in all 12 areas it was assessed in.
The unannounced inspection took place on the 20th of January, when as many as 19 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on site at Cahercalla at that time, between both staff and residents of the facility.
The inspection took place over a three day period, with the initial outbreak having been identified on the 22nd of December 2020.
HIQA says its inspectors observed residents with complex health care needs who were COVID positive having no evidence of clinical monitoring or nursing supervision on site.
While inspectors did observe what they refer to as ‘some kind and respectful interactions’ between staff and residents, there were other instances where staff were deemed to be ‘disrespectful’ and ‘abrupt’.
Inspectors say at the time of being present in Cahercalla, ‘a greater focus on person centred care’ was requried.
The agency says that staff preferences were favoured over residents’ needs during the outbreak of the virus on site – it’s believed the HSE had offered its assistance to attempt to maintain staffing levels in the facility at the time of the outbreak.
Cahercalla was assessed by HIQA in 12 different regulatory areas – including staffing, governance and management, infection control and residents’ rights – and was deemed to be ‘non-compliant’ with regulations in all 12 instances.
The inspection did take place before Cahercalla outsourced clinical and managerial oversight at the facility to Mowlam Healthcare, which happened in February.
In response to concerns raised, the nursing home says its reviewed its organisational structure and is encouraging staff to be available primarily on residents’ needs.
It’s understood the COVID-19 vaccination programme at the facility has completed, having begun around the time of the inspection in January.
Cahercalla management say an infection prevention control committee will be established at the facility, and that residents will receive a high-standard of evidence-based care.
You can view the full report here.
