The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) today published the findings of the first national Hygiene Services Quality Review into 51 HSE funded acute hospitals. 

The Hygiene Services Quality Review is the most comprehensive ever undertaken in Ireland and included assessments on service delivery, corporate management, unannounced visits to hospitals by the Authority’s assessors and interviews with staff, managers, patients and visitors. The Review sets a new benchmark for hospitals to aim for on behalf of their patients. Individual detailed reports have been provided to each hospital to inform them of areas of strength and areas for further improvement.

Speaking at the publication of the national review, Jon Billings, the Authority’s Director of Healthcare Quality said, “It is clear from the review that a lot of good work has been undertaken and positive assessments were made in relation to certain aspects of hospital hygiene and in particular, service delivery areas such as hand hygiene, equipment, medical and cleaning devices. The commitment and attitude of staff, adherence to mandatory staff training and management of hazardous waste should all be acknowledged. It is clear from the report that work to drive improvements on the front line has paid dividends.”

“However, it is disappointing to report, that no hospital was rated as ‘very good’ and only seven (14%) were rated as ‘good’. Thirty-five hospitals (68%) achieved a ‘fair’ rating and nine (18%) hospitals were rated as ‘poor’. The overriding message to hospitals is that they can and should do better. There are too many hospitals in the ‘fair’ category; if this group could improve, it would make a significant difference. The report concludes that there is a need to strengthen corporate structures for hygiene at every level.”

The main recommendations contained in the Review are:

• The HSE should formalise corporate management structures to include long term strategic planning and annual service planning with clear goals and objectives for hygiene and reducing healthcare associated infection. This should be implemented at local, regional and national levels for acute, primary and community care settings.
• Hospitals must establish robust arrangements for implementing, monitoring and managing external contracts for hygiene related services
• The HSE should establish a national set of indicators for monitoring hygiene and infection prevention and control performance.
• Hospitals with less than ideal environments should implement specific and active plans for managing hygiene practice, including regular internal reviews and risk assessments.
• Hospitals should review ward based catering facilities on a regular basis to ensure compliance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), standards.

The Authority believes a comprehensive approach to hygiene and infection, control and prevention which incorporates strategic and operational leadership, monitoring, education and public awareness is necessary to achieve the required improvement in hygiene. As the Independent Authority setting 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. Allied to our work on the National Hygiene Services Quality Review, the Authority has begun detailed work on developing Infection Control Standards and envisage publishing these standards early next year.

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Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 604 1785 / 086 244 7623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie