Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2014
217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the warnings issued by the Health Information and Quality Authority to Kerry General Hospital in the past two years following hygiene inspections; the dates of these visits and warnings; the action that was taken by the hospital subsequently to ensure optimum levels of patient safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6009/14]
View answerEstablished as an independent statutory body under the Health Act 2007, the Health Information and Quality Authority's (HIQA) mandate extends across the quality and safety of the public, private and voluntary sectors. Since late 2012 HIQA has been carrying out a monitoring programme against the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (NSPCHCAI). Both I and my Department welcome the publication of HIQA's reports and note the concerns raised in them about hand hygiene practices particularly among medical staff.
HIQA carried out an unannounced inspection on Kerry General Hospital on 22nd August, 2013. This assessment focussed on gathering information about compliance with two of the NSPCHCAI Standards, namely
- Standard 3: Environment and Facilities Management, Criterion 3.6
- Standard 6: Hand Hygiene, Criterion 6.1.
Overall, the HIQA inspection of Kerry General Hospital found that the areas assessed were generally clean, with some need for improvement. In relation to hand hygiene, the Authority found that hand hygiene practices were inconsistent with the National Standards. The Authority requested Kerry General Hospital to develop a quality improvement plan (QIP) to prioritise the improvements necessary to fully comply with the NSPCHCAI. This QIP was to be approved by an identified individual in Kerry General Hospital who has overall executive accountability, responsibility and authority for the delivery of high quality, safe and reliable services. The QIP was to be published on the Hospital's website within 6 weeks of the date of publication of HIQA's report. HIQA intend to continue with unannounced monitoring activity this year.
Ultimate responsibility for adherence to national standards lies with the HSE. It is the Executive's responsibility to implement and review the hospital's QIP. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with details of the actions taken by Kerry General Hospital to meet the requirements of the HIQA inspection.
