Several concerns over infection control measures have been highlighted within a Leitrim community hospital following a health and safety inspection.
A report released by The Health Information and Quality Authority has raised issues with infection control practises at St Patrick's Community Hospital in Carrick-On-Shannon.
While the facility was found to be a generally clean environment, and compliant or substantially compliant in many areas, the report identified several areas of concern.
St. Patrick's Community Hospital is a short stay unit with 19 available beds, owned and managed by the HSE.
According to the inspection report, general infrastructure was found to be having a negative impact on infection prevention, with several hand hygiene sinks not conforming to health regulations and multi-occupancy rooms not serviced with ensuite toilets or shower facilities.
On the day of inspection, 13 of 19 beds were occupied including 2 isolation units which inspectors recorded having no signage on entrance to the rooms, and no ensuite toilet or shower facilities.
Issues including the improper decontamination of regularly used patient monitoring equipment and storage concerns over cleaning supplies and equipment were also highlighted.
In one storeroom, the majority of supplies were kept on open shelving units near a damp window with mould evident, with some of these supplies not enclosed within their packaging.
