‘High-risk’ failures at hospital identified by Hiqa

A number of “immediate high-risk” findings in relation to infection prevention and control were highlighted in a recent inspection of Mayo University Hospital.

According to a report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), an unannounced inspection of the hospital on May 31 revealed “a lack of basic control measures to prevent invasive aspergillosis” during construction and renovation works.

Aspergillosis is the name given to a variety of diseases caused by the aspergillus fungus. People with lung or respiratory diseases and weakened immune systems are usually at risk from the fungus.