Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 19 inspection reports on infection control in designated centres for people with disabilities. HIQA inspects against the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 and the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities, which apply to residential services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

The infection prevention and control (IPC) inspection programme aims to promote continuous quality improvement in infection prevention and control, in line with the National Standards for infection prevention and control in community services, (2018), as published by HIQA. 

Inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards across 12 centres inspected. 

Good practice was observed by inspectors in centres operated by: Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, GALRO Unlimited Company, Health Service Executive (HSE), KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Praxis Care, Redwood Neurobehavioural Services Unlimited Company, St John of God Community Services CLG, and St Michael's House.

Examples of good practice included:

• Clear IPC governance structure at the centre, with team meetings including an IPC focus.
• Comprehensive cleaning schedules coupled with effective oversight through completion of management audits.
• Staff knowledge enhanced through access to regular training and information on IPC.
• Clear review arrangements in place for contingency plans following an outbreak.

However, seven centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Delta Centre Company Limited by Guarantee, the HSE, St Hilda's Services, St John of God Community Services CLG, and Three Steps Limited were found to be non-compliant, which meant that residents were not being adequately protected from the risk of infection. These providers were required to take actions to improve their infection prevention and control arrangements. 

Examples of areas requiring improvement observed by inspectors included:

• Improvements were required to the condition of premises in centres to ensure effective cleaning and IPC arrangements.
• Improvements to IPC guidance to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with current good practice.
• Improvements to auditing arrangements to ensure appropriate use and disposal of personal protective equipment
• Improvements to cleaning schedules to ensure effective cleaning of all parts of the centre and appropriate storage of cleaning equipment.

Read all reports at the link below.