Practices at Clare and Limerick’s only Maternity Hospital could be placing patients at risk of health care associated infections.
The latest Hygiene audit of the Maternity Hospital in Limerick found some improvements in infection control measures but said the physical environment, waste management and cleaning of equipment are still not being effectively managed to protect patients and reduce the spread of infections.
The Health Information and Quality Authority’s July inspection of the Maternity Hospital revealed some improvements in compliance with National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, however many practices were still found to be non-compliant, with reports of dust on surfaces and equipment, stained floors and chipped paint in some maternity wards and inappropriate storage of a number of items.
Reporting on Hand Hygiene, HIQA notes that washing hands is the single most important preventative measure in the transmission of infection, but many hand hygiene opportunities were not being taken by staff, and soap or alcohol hand rub was not always available.
In a statement to Clare FM, the HSE says it has taken to address issues of non-compliance and also notes that there are a number of infrastructural challenges at the Maternity Hospital which will take longer to improve as they require significant capital funding.
