Infection-control failures put Kerry patients at risk

Poor cleaning of reusable bedpans and failure to test water outlets for the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s Disease were among the multiple infection-control failures that left patients at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) exposed to significant risk.

Hiqa inspectors were so concerned about ongoing failure to test water for legionella bacteria that they referred the matter to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

They also wrote twice to Gerry O’Dwyer, CEO of the South/Southwest Hospital group (SSWHG), warning of “serious risk to the health or welfare of patients”.