Two Cavan nursing homes were found to have been non-compliant in infection control following a short notice inspection in July.
Esker Lodge Nursing Home and College View Nursing Home were both deemed by HIQA to have had issues regarding the availability of PPE:
While Esker Lodge and College View Nursing Home were found to be compliant in a number of key areas, including staffing and end of life care, both nursing homes were non-compliant as regards infection control.
Esker Lodge had already undergone a comprehensive infection control audit, but a number of improvement actions were still outstanding on the day of the inspection.
Staff were working between isolation units on the first and second floor of the building, which was not in line with covid-19 guidance, and were using a staff area to prepare refreshments for residents.
The infection prevention and control signage was also “insufficient in the isolation unit” and PPE was not available in sluice rooms.
Meanwhile, inspectors in College View Nursing home noted that staff had a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and followed good hand hygiene practices.
However, improvements were required to ensure the current guidance was implemented at all times to protect residents.
“Inconsistent practices” were observed in relation to PPE usage, as well as unclear signage on the bedroom doors of residents in isolation.
There was also no PPE availability in sluice rooms and a lack of detailed cleaning check lists for common touch points, as well as a lack of hand sanitizers.
College View Nursing Home was also deemed “non-compliant” as regards risk management and its premises.
Following the short notice July inspection, both nursing homes committed to being compliant as regards infection control by September past.
