Most Irish hospitals have ‘poor cleanliness’, report finds

Poor levels of cleanliness in most Irish hospitals is putting patients at risk of infection, according to the State’s health watchdog.

The Health Information and Quality Authority said there was a significant rise in the number of hospitals requiring follow-up inspections last year because of hygiene failings.

The number of re-inspections required increased from one in 10 hospitals inspected in 2014 to one in five last year, according to a Hiqa report.

Poor hygiene and poor maintenance of facilities were the main reasons for re-inspections.

The report presents an overview of 39 unannounced inspections by Hiqa inspectors in 32 hospitals last year.

Progress was made in improving hand hygiene by staff and progress was made towards the 90 per cent target for compliance with handwashing procedures, the authority said.

Hiqa said there was considerable room for improvement required in improving hospital cleanliness.

“The importance of effective environmental hygiene cannot be overemphasized, particularly in the role good hygiene plays in reducing the transmission of infection in hospitals and in the context of growing pathogen resistance.”

It says it is especially important that areas of hospitals were high-risk invasive procedures are carried out should be “meticulously clean” to reduce the risk of infection.

These areas include operating theatres, cancer wards, renal dialysis and endoscopy.

“The increased focus on these areas highlighted the need to review the current infrastructure and its maintenance in hospitals, according to Hiqa.

Inspectors found many cases where the infrastructure and facilities provided were inadequate, outdated and or poorly maintained, and where the infrastructure did not always support the implementation of best infection prevention and control practices.”

“Notwithstanding these challenges, older infrastructures need to be maintained and can still be cleaned with the provision of effective management and oversight, adequate resources and staff who are trained and deemed competent to perform the necessary cleaning tasks.”

Inspectors found many hospitals were responding to inspection reports rather than addressing issues through a proactive programme of management.

A lack of resources and high rates of occupancy were the most frequently cited reasons for not acting.

Opportunities to improve control of the Legionella bacteria were identified in 10 of the 32 hospitals, while issues with Aspergillus fungus were identified in seven hospitals.