HIQA has called for better support for the Midlands regional hospital in Mullingar, after an inspection raised concerns over its infection prevention and control measures.
"Unacceptable" levels of dust were found on some equipment, while some cleaning utensils were stored under a stairwell rather than in a designated room.
The unannounced inspection took place in early December with HIQA officers focusing on the prevention and control of transmission of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and decontamination facilities
Overall compliance with hand hygiene standards, which are set at 90% by the HSE was reported as being 91%, and hand hygiene training was mandatory every two years.
Concern was raised at the hospital's procedure to combat the spread of deadly superbug CPE and inspectors found the hospital was not in full compliance with national CPE screening guidelines, and it was not screening patients who had been inpatients in the hospital within the previous 12 months.
The hospital claimed that this was due to a lack of laboratory resources.
Despite this, the hospital had not experienced an outbreak of CPE and number of initiatives had been introduced to control transmission
"Unacceptable" levels of dust were discovered on the undercarriages of beds and chipped doors and damaged walls were also noted as not being an aid to effective cleaning.
In the rehab unit, there was also no designated cleaner's equipment room - with trolley and supplies stored underneath a stairwell.
Inspectors suggested that the hospital needs to be supported to better address the issues identified in order to facilitate compliance with national standards.
