HIQA finds 'do not resuscitate' orders in nursing home files

An inspection carried out into a private nursing home in County Leitrim has found that "do not resuscitate" orders were on the files of some patients at the home.

The HIQA inspection was carried out into the Mulross Nursing Home at Kilclare, Carrick-on-Shannon, before it was closed down earlier this month.

The HIQA inspection into the nursing home was carried out within the past two months and highlighed a range of problems at the home, including inadequate management of the care of residents who had lost significant amounts of weight, and poor pain management.

However, inspectors also found on reviewing some files that there was a line stating "do not resuscitate".

There was no evidence that this had been discussed either with residents or with their relatives, or that the resident was involved in the decision.

The home has since been closed down.