Health inspectors claimed a number of improvements were required to fire safety and infection control at a Longford nursing home following an inspection this year.
Two non-compliances were noted from a total of eleven outcomes inspected at Our Lady's Manor Nursing Home in Edgeworthstown in April of this year.
The nursing home was in the middle of an outbreak of Covid 19 when this inspection took place with residents restricted to their rooms after 11 residents and four staff tested positive for the virus.
Inspectors claimed that some residents were left "unsupervised for long periods" with "no meaningful engagement" with staff and some residents suggesting their days were long and boring when speaking to the HIQA staff.
The food at the centre was praised, while the staff's professionalism was also highlighted.
Infection control was deemed non-complaint as inspectors noted that basins were being rinsed in residents' sinks, and gloves were being used inappropriately by staff - including a staff member applying alcohol hand gel to gloves.
Two cleaning trolleys were visibly unclean and staff entering a Covid 19 unit were required to dip their footwear into a disinfectant bath on entry.
A non-compliance was recorded in relation to fire safety - where inspectors noted that the fire alarm panel was not accessible in all parts of the centre. Staff were also unsure on some procedures around a possible outbreak of fire in the centre.
Elsewhere, HIQA also noted that a night-shift nurse caring for Covid 19 positive patients also was caring for non-positive residents and there was inappropriate storage of medical records in an attic. .
Responding to the report, management claimed staffing levels has improved after the Covid outbreak - footbaths were removed and more training on PPE was being provided and improved practices arounds sinks were also highlighted.
A new fire panel was also being installed and fire plans were being reviewed as well as other improvements being made following recommendations in the HIQA report.
The full HIQA report is available here:
https://www.hiqa.ie/system/files?file=inspectionreports/4632-our-ladys-manor-nursing-home-27-april-2021.pdf
