HIQA has published reports following inspections of two centres for people with disabilities to monitor and review the arrangements the provider had put in place in relation to infection prevention and control.
Of the two centres, Dreenan Ard Greine Court was found to be suibstantially compliant, while Cloghan was found to be non-compliant.
Dreenan Ard Greine Court had four residents on the day of the unannounced inspection in June, all of whom spoke to the inspector.
The inspector found good governance and infection control measures were in place, but recommended a number of improvements.
In the case of the Cloghan centre, there were three residents on the day of the inspection.
The report found a number of issues with cleaning schedules, and found the provider had not ensured that residents who may be at risk of a healthcare associated infection were adequately protected by the processes and procedures in place.
The provider reported that revised schedules and protocols have been prepared, and staff at all levels have received up to date training.
The Dreenan – Ard Greine report and the centre’s response can be read here –
The Cloghan report and the centre’s response can be read here –
https://www.hiqa.ie/system/files?file=inspectionreports/8154-cloghan-20-july-2022.pdf
HSE Statement:
‘Cloghan provides residential care and support to three adults with disabilities. It is run by the HSE Community Healthcare Cavan Donegal Leitrim Monaghan Sligo Disability Services. The centre is a four bedroom detached bungalow in Co. Donegal and is in close proximity to a small town. The service benefits from having its own mode of transport for access to community based activities and amenities. The centre has a large parking area to the front and a private garden area to the rear of the property. The service is staffed on a 24/7 basis and the staff team includes a Person in Charge, a Clinical Nurse Manager 1 and a team of staff nurses and healthcare assistants.
Cloghan was inspected on the 20th July 2022. This was a thematic inspection of Regulation 27, Prevention against Infection. The outcome of the inspection was that the centre was deemed not to be compliant with the regulation. The HSE has since taken a number of actions to ensure the centre is in full compliance with the regulation. These are as follows:
· The site specific contingency and response plan has been reviewed and updated in line with current public health guidance.
· Donegal Disability Services management has completed a schedule of governance meetings to year end 2022.
· The Covid Lead Worker representative has completed the relevant training to fulfill the role as identified in the site specific contingency and response plan.
· A Training Needs Analysis in relation to Infection Prevention Control has been undertaken for the centre.
· A review of maintenance work has been undertaken within the centre and works are ongoing to address the issues identified.
The HSE will continue to work to ensure that a high quality of service is maintained within this centre.’
In terms of the Dreenan inspection the HSE says;
‘Dreenan provides residential care and support to four adults with disabilities. It is run by the HSE Community Healthcare Cavan Donegal Leitrim Monaghan Sligo Disability Services. The centre is a six bedroom detached bungalow in Co. Donegal and is in close proximity to a small town. The service benefits from having its own mode of transport for residents to access community based activities and amenities. The centre has a large parking area to the front and a garden area to the side of the property. The service is staffed on a 24/7 basis and the staff team includes a Person in Charge, a Clinical Nurse Manager 1 and a team of staff nurses and healthcare assistants.
Dreenan was inspected by HIQA on the 20th July 2022. This was a thematic inspection of Regulation 27, Prevention against Infection. The outcome of the inspection was that the centre was deemed to be substantially compliant with the regulation. Since the inspection the HSE has taken a number of actions to ensure full regulatory compliance. These include the following:
· Cleaning Schedules have been reviewed to include checking of expiry dates of hand hygiene products.
· The centre management has reviewed and implemented Infection Prevention Control guidance in respect of linen management within Community Group Homes.
· The centre’s Covid-19 Contingency Plan has been updated to reflect the arrangements for the isolation of staff should they develop symptoms whilst on duty
· A review of audits across services is currently being undertaken and are being applied in the centre.
The HSE will continue to work to ensure that a high quality of service is maintained within this centre.’
