High risk hand hygiene at cavan general hiqa

An inspection of Cavan General Hospital by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has found major problems with hand hygiene and a possibly associated high level of infection, reports RTE.

In this morning’s report, HIQA noted that there had been an increase in the incidence of Clostridium Difficile in the hospital due to a variety of factors, including poor hand hygiene.

The unannounced inspection took place on 9 October when staff from HIQA inspected two surgical wards.

In the report, HIQA described the problems with hand washing as an “immediate high risk” to the health and welfare of patients, staff and visitors.

In correspondence after the visit, the hospital acknowledged that the rate of Clostridium difficile infection “has been significantly above both the national average and HSE target rates for both 2013 and 2014”.

HIQA said “a failure of good hand hygiene practice cannot be out ruled as a contributory factor”.

The report reveals that the inspectors had concerns about the cleanliness of some patient equipment in Surgical Ward 2.

There was also “unacceptable levels of dust” in some areas of the ward.

The HSE responded saying they were 'disappointed' with the report's findings. 

'Hospital management are disappointed with the report’s findings and is fully committed to addressing the authority’s concerns about the risk to patient safety relating to hand hygiene practices which do not meet the national standards and increased incidence of Clostridium Difficile (C Diff),' a spokesperson told The Anglo-Celt read.

'Management at Cavan General Hospital can confirm that there are a number of contributory factors which lead to an increased incidence in Clostridium difficile to include over usage of antibiotics. Within the published report, HIQA has stated that they are assured that the incidence of Clostridium difficile in Cavan General Hospital represented isolated unrelated cases rather than an outbreak of a predominant strain and there were no severe cases identified.'

Bridget Clarke, General Manager Cavan Monaghan Hospital said: “Patient safety is a key priority for the Management at Cavan General Hospital. A Quality Improvement Plan is being implemented with regard to areas identified for improvement in the current inspection report.

'I also wish to assure the public that strong governance on Infection control standards is in place at Cavan General Hospital and that there is a determination among all levels of staff to fully comply with standards set for the hospital,” she said.

Hand hygiene practices observed during the inspection was disappointing for management as significant measures had been put in place to improve hand hygiene compliance.

A clinical nurse specialist has been trained as a lead auditor to support the infection prevention control clinical nurse specialist on undertaking regular Hand Hygiene audits throughout the hospital

'Whilst awaiting the recruitment of a second Clinical Nurse Specialist for Infection control Senior Staff Nurse has been redeployed to work within the Infection Protection and Control Team (IPCT) to ensure full delivery of the Infection Control plan 2014,' said the spokesperson.

'In relation to improving hand hygiene - Hospital management convened an emergency meeting following the HIQA inspection and actions were agreed that will stimulate an enhanced hand hygiene culture within the hospital thereby increasing hand hygiene compliance amongst healthcare workers.

'These actions have been developed in liaison with the IPCT. Hospital management are committed and very much focused on promoting and maintaining this culture on an ongoing basis.'

The hospital group added that a permanent consultant microbiologist was appointed earlier this year.