Letterkenny General Hospital
A report arising from an inspection of hygiene practices at Letterkenny General Hospital has shocked visitors and patients.
Inspectors found that patients were being put at risk of infection from poor hand hygiene and non-attendance of hand hygiene training.
Baby cots were said to have layers of thick dust and grime inside drawers, with rusted metal frames and dirty cradles. A patient bathroom had no waste disposal bin, while another bath was held together with adhesive tape.
The hospital were aware that the inspection would take place on June 5. Despite a previous inspection in February, the hospital’s hygiene standards were not completely up to scratch.
The HSE responded to the HIQA report to say that a number of positive improvements in Letterkenny Hospital had been noted since the February inspection.
“Letterkenny Hospital recognises that whilst hand hygiene rates have improved since the previous HIQA visit, the results of this most recent audit demonstrated the need for further improvement in our hand hygiene practice.”
As the hospital rebuilds itself after the devastating floods in July, the HSE say they will take all observations from the report into account.
by Rachel McLaughlin
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