A NEW HIQA report on Kerry General Hospital has identified that patients are at high risk of infection in relation to the maintenance and infrastructure of the Operating Theatre Complex, the infrastructure of the Oncology Day Unit and the management of legionella related risk.

The Health Information and Quality Authority inspected KGH on July 8 and again August 20. During the July inspection, a number of deficiencies were identified in relation to hospital infrastructure, facilities and water system management.

Regarding the operating theatre the report stated:

“Overall the operating theatre complex was dilapidated with several areas of ceilings, walls, woodwork, and floors significantly damaged, worn and non-intact to the extent that they could not be cleaned effectively, and facilitated the production and accumulation of dust.”

While improvements were noted in the follow-up inspection, HIQA stated that substantive risks in relation to maintenance, hand hygiene practice, hand hygiene facilities and hospital infrastructure remain.

The Authority was not assured that risks in relation to legionella control were being effectively addressed by the hospital and stated; “The hospital needs to fully re-evaluate and improve upon its approach to the management of legionella risks in line with Irish national guidelines and legislation and in consideration of findings of the site legionella risk assessment.”

These findings were described as “unacceptable” and the report stated “the risks as identified in these inspection reports were largely identified by the hospital already but have not been effectively addressed through HSE corporate risk management systems.”

 

To read the full report click here