ED issues at Cavan General flagged in HIQA report
The lack of an "effective flow of patients admitted to an inpatient bed" from the emergency department was flagged in HIQA's latest inspection report on Cavan General Hospital.
The report also highlighted the lack of space at the hospital, a shortfall which they acknowledged was being addressed.
HIQA carried out an an 'announced inspection' at Cavan General Hospital in July of this year.
The report emphasised that the staff their inspectors met with "were committed and dedicated" to promoting a person-centred approach to care.
In addition to the criticism of the cramped Emergency Department, HIQA also said the hospital needed to address "monitoring arrangements" to improve the quality of the healthcare services provided.
Cavan General was one of three public acute hospitals - alongside Cork University Hospital and St. Columcille’s Hospital - inspected between June and July by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
Inspectors found Cavan General Hospital to be 'compliant' with only five out of 14 standards.
They further found it to be 'substantially compliant' with eight standards, and 'partially compliant' with one standard on the day of inspection.
However, Cork University Hospital and St. Columcille’s Hospital each had standards deemed 'non-compliant'. The report didn't flag any standards where Cavan General was deemed 'non-compliant'.
According to a HIQA spokesperson: "Inspectors found that the emergency department was challenged by the lack of space and effective flow of patients admitted to an inpatient bed.
"However, inspectors acknowledged that there were further medium and long-term plans in place to improve patient flow, such as the use of the surgical assessment unit and a new building for the emergency department.
"The hospital had implemented an electronic Irish National Early Warning System which provided the opportunity to identify and respond to potential deteriorating patients.
"Overall, HIQA found that the hospital needed to improve monitoring arrangements to identify and act on opportunities to improve the quality of the healthcare services provided."