Hiqa calls for changes to monitoring of seriously ill patients at Kerry hospital

Inspectors identified gaps in VTE monitoring, reviews of deteriorating patients and the management of delayed hospital discharges

University Hospital Kerry told to improve monitoring of patients with blood clots and sepsis. Picture: Dan Linehan

Hiqa has called for changes in how University Hospital Kerry monitors seriously ill patients, including people with potentially fatal blood-clotting conditions and sepsis.

Inspectors noted that an audit of how data on deteriorating patients is recorded recommended “significant improvements” last year, but the system has not been updated.

The HSE’s guidelines for treating venous thromboembolism (VTE) are named after Limerick woman Eve Cleary, who died in 2019. Eve’s Protocol aims to reduce preventable harm and ultimately save lives.

However, the Hiqa report raises concerns about how this condition is monitored.

During an unannounced inspection in February 2026, Hiqa identified an audit of clinical documentation that was carried out between October and December last year at the Tralee hospital.

“Despite this, no quality improvement plan associated with this audit finding was included in documentation provided to inspectors following the inspection,” the report said.

The audit showed charts checked for women admitted to the maternity services were assessed for VTE.

“Nonetheless, meeting minutes reviewed by inspectors detailed that University Hospital Kerry was trending higher than other hospitals for the occurrence of venous thromboembolism,” inspectors found.

In addition, they flagged gaps in reviews of patients on resuscitation trolleys.

The team reviewed policies for deteriorating patients, including those with sepsis, finding in some cases that the date for review had passed.

Inspectors were also made aware of incidents being managed under the HSE’s incident management framework relating to deteriorating patients.

Concerns over delayed discharges

The report also raises the alarm about the “high” number of patients whose care at the hospital is finished but who cannot be discharged.

It indicated these are often complex cases requiring extra assistance from the community intervention team or staff from the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP).

Inspectors saw that these cases are discussed at high-level meetings in the HSE South West region’s system but have still not been resolved.

They also asked questions about gaps in policies around how patients are transferred, saying arrangements such as patient escorts and transport were not clear.

Hiqa has now written to UHK about this.

The Hiqa report was published on Tuesday morning along with other inspection reports.

HSE says improvements are under way

In response, HSE South West said: “Since the inspection, the hospital has undertaken a significant programme of improvement focused on strengthening patient care, quality, governance, safety, and operational performance.” 

It was already aware of Hiqa’s concerns and said the findings have been used to drive learning and improvement.

“Since the inspection, many of the actions identified have either been completed, or are well advanced,” it said.

HSE South West interim head of service Olivia O’Rahilly said: “Since February, staff across the hospital have demonstrated exceptional commitment, professionalism, and determination in implementing improvements.”

She stressed that “significant improvements” have been seen, with work continuing across the hospital.

“University Hospital Kerry remains committed to continuous quality improvement and delivering safe, person-centred care for all patients,” she said.