University Hospital Kerry was found to be non-complaint in a number of crucial areas following a two-day inspection of the under-pressure facility by the Health Information Quality Authority.
The assessment of the 254-bed hospital – which had been announced in advance – involved observing care being delivered, speaking with staff and management, getting reaction from patients, monitoring staff interactions with patients and a review of documents to ensure appropriate records were being kept and that they reflected the practices involved.
The four-person inspection team visited the hospital on September 20/21 last, spending eight hours thee the first day and six and a quarter hours on day two.
They focused on four key areas – infection prevention and control, medication safety, transitions of care and the deteriorating patient, including sepsis, and the three clinical areas involved were the emergency department, the high-dependency medical Carrig Ward and the Rathass orthopaedic ward.
The HIQA inspectors also spoke with the interim general manager, the assistant director of nursing, the clinical director and the quality manager as well as lead representatives for the non-consultant hospital doctors and the hospital’s human resources officer.
In a detailed 84-page report, the HIQA inspection team determined that the clinical areas assessed were non-compliant in a number of areas and that the facility was not up to the same standards of similar sized hospitals elsewhere in the country.
They found that the hospital was substantially compliant in two areas, partially compliant in seven and non-compliant in five.
Concerns were raised about overcrowding, understaffing, shortages in key medical staff and a failure to meet national standards in five areas and the issues have been raised with senior Health Service Executive officials.
They also found instances where the dignity, privacy and confidentiality of patients had been compromised.
It was stressed that significant work is required to improve service quality and safety and to address many of the issues raised.
In a statement today, University Hospital Kerry said it recognised the invaluable role of HIQA as an important driver of service improvement across the health service and the facility is committed to working with HIQA for the continued benefit of patients.
“We are committed as a hospital to protecting the safety and welfare of our patients and, thus, we have closely analysed HIQA’s report findings.
“Immediately following the inspection, urgent actions were implemented to address key issues identified,” hospital management said.
A comprehensive quality improvement plan has also been prepared and submitted with three-month, six-month and longer term targets.
“The hospital’s highly committed staff have already made significant progress on implementing this quality improvement plan. Indeed, many of the short term actions to improve patient care have now already been completed,” the statement added.
Management also acknowledged the steadfast and on-going commitment of its staff for their dedication in continuing to provide a patient-centred approach to the care delivered.
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