First nursing home report published
All but one of six residents interviewed by inspectors from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) at Pointe Boise Nursing Home in Upper Salthill, Galway, said they were very satisfied with their quality of life.
Shopping trips, lunch dates and church attendances were all facilitated and the food was described as “excellent”. However, inspectors felt staff were not adequately prepared to respond in the event of a fire.
“The safety of residents on the upper floors was of particular concern, as some were wheelchair-users and there were only three staff members on duty at night,” HIQA said in its report.
Inspectors also found that while fire training was provided to staff on induction, the last fire training took place in October 2007.
In relation to infection control, deficits included no arrangements in place for the disposal of clinical waste. In addition, while aprons and gloves were provided, inspectors noted that staff did not always remove their gloves when leaving the residents’ rooms.
On the upside, they found staff were skilled and trained to meet the changing needs of the 26 residents and that a residents’ forum allowed the clients to air their views.
All relatives strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the care received. The involvement of relatives in life in the home was a common theme. One said: “I am welcome day or night,” while another described it as “a home from home”. Without exception, they all expressed strong satisfaction with the attitude of staff and the dignity that residents were treated with.
Inspectors found the residents’ healthcare needs are met but the home’s medication policy was not in line with legislative requirements because it did not provide for traceability in the safe disposal of drugs other than controlled drugs.
In response, Martin Breen, registered provider of nursing home care at Pointe Boise, said he believed they “did not have a fair opportunity to present the services that we provide in a full and complete way”.
Pointe Boise was “one of the first homes to be inspected, against very new legislation, by a new team, without the benefit of time, guidance, feedback, training opportunities and information that will be afforded to others to prepare.” They did not receive the HIQA guide to the process of registration and inspection until after the inspection, Mr Breen said.
“For us, not knowing the inspection process or the reporting format to be used made the inspection a very stressful and anxious time. It had an unhelpful effect on our management team’s confidence, morale and esprit de corps. It was also hard for our residents, who felt... a three person [inspection] team in-house all day... was too much for them.”
HIQA began its nursing home inspections on July 1.
* To read the full report, log on to www.hiqa.ie.
