Hiqa critical of drug delays

Health watchdog Hiqa has criticised some nursing homes after inspections revealed that, in some cases, residents are receiving medicines just 90 minutes apart due to delays in administering the doses.

Major issues were detected at St Mary’s Centre Nursing Home at the St Mary’s Centre on Merrion Rd in Dublin 4, with the report noting: “Inspectors observed that the duration of the medication ‘round’ adversely affected the ability of nurses to administer medication within the recommended timeframe for medication efficacy and safety.”

According to the report by the Health Information and Quality Authority: “It was found by inspectors that medications which were prescribed for administration at 8am were not being administered until up to 2.5 hours later.”