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AN INSPECTION REPORT at a Louth nursing home in which more than 20 patients died in May during a Covid-19 outbreak has highlighted several concerns about the standards and regulations being adhered to in the nursing home.
On May 27, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) carried out the first of a two-day inspection, the results of which were released today along with 30 other inspection reports.
Dealgan House in the city of Dundalk provides 24-hour nursing care to around 80 adult residents.
After talking with residents and staff, observing daily practices, and reviewing documentation, the inspection concluded that it was non-compliant in six main areas (it was deemed ‘compliant’ or ‘substantially compliant’ in 15 other areas).
The first was on staffing. The report found that the nursing home did not have the appropriate number and skill mix of staff.
The second was on staff training and development in relation to Covid-19:
… The person in charge had not ensured that all staff working at the center had attended all the additional training required in prevention and control of Covid-19 infections. The records showed that not all staff had attended the training video regarding putting on and taking off (putting on and taking off) personal protective equipment (PPE).
The third compliance issue was the issue of governance. During the Covid-19 outbreak at Dealgan House in April, more than 60% of all staff, including 70% of nurses, were unable to work due to the Covid-19 hiring.
Although the Covid-19 contingency plan was activated, staffing levels continued to fall as more staff contracted the virus and were unable to work. This led to HSE community staff and acute care services being reassigned to the center to ensure that there was an adequate number of staff available to provide care and services to residents.
The written policies and procedures were also not updated to include the latest HPSC infection prevention and control guidance on Covid-19.
On infection control, the report said:
Not all staff had attended up-to-date training and refresher courses in infection prevention and control in accordance with HPSC guidelines.
Inadequate supervision of staff practices in infection control, for example: staff traveling to work in their uniforms; staff who meet in the entrance hall and do not adhere to social distancing guidelines; not all personnel checked their temperatures upon arrival at work and again; during work hours in accordance with HPSC guidelines
There was no clear protocol in place to ensure that all staff knew what to do in the event of a suspected Covid-19 case arising at the designated facility.
The report identified a sixth problem under the heading “health care”:
“… Inspectors were not assured that residents were monitored twice a day for early signs and symptoms of possible Covid-19 infections.”
This practice was necessary as part of the HPSC guidance to ensure that signs and symptoms were detected promptly and that appropriate infection prevention and control measures were implemented in time.
While temperatures were taken twice a day, in the past they were only recorded if
abnormal. Temperatures are now recorded without exception twice a day, according to the report.
In a statement issued today in response to the report, the Dealgan House Nursing Home said it welcomed the release of the Hiqa Report from an inspection that took place on May 27, just a week after the public declared the outbreak of Covid at Home. health officials.
He said that Dealgan House was the first nursing home inspected during the Covid-19 pandemic and that most of Hiqa’s other inspections took place in August and September.
Dealgan House was re-inspected on Sept. 8 and is awaiting the final report, he said.
Commenting on the May report, Dealgan House Director Eoin Farrelly said:
Dealgan House welcomes the positive findings of the Report which states that “Feedback from residents and their families was overwhelmingly positive regarding the care and services provided by staff working at the designated facility.”.
“We are particularly pleased with the recognition given to our dedicated staff who were under immense pressure at the time.”
The Inspectors Report states that “residents who had contracted the virus and recovered told inspectors how well staff had treated them when they were not well and that” they could not have done more for me.
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According to the report, “this was also reflected in the comments of the families who spoke with the inspectors, who expressed their” gratitude for all that the staff had done “and” for the compassion and support they had received during this time for part of the staff “.
The May report highlighted some areas that needed attention, and the nursing home addressed these issues immediately, so much so that all regulations related to residential care were found to be in compliance at the follow-up inspection.
We continue to take all possible steps to protect our residents and staff during the current increase. We ask everyone to fully respect the Government’s restrictions so that we can control this terrifying increase and protect the elderly in our society.
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