Surprise inspection reveals poor hygiene at Tallaght hospital

Poor hygiene practices at Tallaght Hospital have put patient and visitor at risk of infection, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority.

A surprise inspection was carried out in two wards at the hospital in July.

The inspectors found that items of patient equipment in frequent use were unclean and posed an danger of transmission of infection from patient to patient.

"During the July inspection on William Stokes Unit, it was noted that several items of frequently used patient equipment … were observed to be unclean which posed a potential risk of inter-patient transmission of infective material," the report stated.

HIQA also found that the compliance rate among staff for hand hygiene training was low.

"Tallaght Hospital has failed to meet the national targets set by the HSE for 2012, 2013 and the most recent audit in May 2014," the report stated.

"The records show that a significant number of wards do not achieve the 90% national target which indicates that hand hygiene best practice is not yet embedded at all levels throughout the hospital. "

"The deficits evidenced in the monitoring and auditing of environmental hygiene is a

concern for the Authority, the report stated.

It warned of a possible risk to the health and welfare of patients, visitors and staff.

"Similar findings were found in relation to unacceptable dust levels during both inspections on Franks Ward," the report stated.

The hospital is now reassuring patients about safety standards.

It says it reacted quickly after the problems were identified.