The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) today announced that the first National Hygiene Quality Review undertaken by the Authority will be published next month. The Authority’s Director of Healthcare Quality, Mr Jon Billings addressing the Annual Conference of the Irish Nurses Organisation outlined to delegates the work of the newly established Authority and stressed the importance that the Authority is placing on hygiene and infection control. 

Mr Billings said, “As the Independent Authority setting the highest standards and driving improvements and accountability across Ireland’s Health and Social Care Services, HIQA is adamant that patients should receive the uppermost standards in hospital hygiene and that the level of healthcare associated infections be addressed as a key priority.

The first National Hygiene Quality Review undertaken by the Authority is now almost complete and individual hospital results and an overall report will be published next month. The Hygiene Quality Review is the most comprehensive ever undertaken in Ireland and included assessments on corporate governance and unannounced visits to hospitals by the Authority’s assessors. Participation in the Hygiene Quality Review is mandatory for all public hospitals and forms part of the Government’s campaign to tackle healthcare associated infections.”

Mr Billings added, “Allied to our work on the National Hygiene Quality Review, the Authority has begun detailed work on developing Infection Control Standards and envisage publishing these standards early next year.”

Ends.

Further Information: 

 Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 6041785 / 086 2447623 whelan@hiqa.ie