Hospital scores better marks for hygiene

CONSIDERABLE improvements have been made in relation to hygiene at one of the hospitals assessed in the first two individual hospital hygiene quality reports by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

The authority’s latest series of randomised, unannounced monitoring assessments focused specifically on the day-to-day delivery of hygiene services and, in particular, cleanliness, hand hygiene and waste and linen management practices.

St Columcille’s Hospital in Dublin was found to have made “considerable improvements” in the delivery of hygiene services, when compared with 2008.

In the seven areas assessed, it received six B marks (extensive compliance of between 66% and 85%) and one A grade (exceptional compliance of greater than 85%).

However, the report found that the hospital “did not meet all the requirements to ensure that the key aspects of hygiene services are delivered safely, efficiently and effectively”.

St Columcille’s hospital provides a 24/7 accident and emergency service together with extensive outpatient services and inpatient services for patients requiring medical and surgical treatment. It also has a five-bed intensive care unit and a total of 133 beds.

In the second HIQA report, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin was found to have continued to “maintain a high level of compliance with the delivery of hygiene services” when compared with 2008.

The assessment found the hospital met most of the requirements to ensure that the key aspects of hygiene services were delivered safely, efficiently and effectively.

The hospital achieved over 85% compliance in six of the seven core criteria.

However, HIQA said the hospital must “build on their improvements” in order to provide hygiene services safely and efficiently.

Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital is an elective standalone orthopaedic unit, supplying services for a number of Dublin Hospitals.