National
Hygiene Audit
4th November 2005
The Health Service Executive in the South East welcomes the
publication of the first National Hygiene Audit for Irish
Hospitals. The Hse accepts the results as an accurate
reflection of the level of hygiene on the days that the audits
were undertaken. It is very disappointing that in some areas
the results were below the standards acceptable.
We look forward
to rapidly progressing the actions required in a prompt and
comprehensive manner as part of the overall Quality Strategy for
hospitals in the South as specified by the Irish Health Services
Accreditation Board and also consistent with the recommendations of
the Report of the National Acute Hospitals Hygiene on behalf of the
HSE. We look forward to the repeat audits scheduled for 2006 and
continually strive to improve the standard of hygiene in our
hospitals in the interests of the patients, staff and service
provision to the people of the south east.
The
new hygiene standards outlined in the report are almost complete and
the HSE intends to introduce them in the New Year. Hospitals in the
South East look forward to working with the HSE to implement the
recommendations set out in the report and we welcome the
announcement of a 20 million euro package to achieve this.
The
recommendations include:
A multi-disciplinary approach is required at national and local
level if hygiene standards are to be improved.
National policies and standards need to be developed and then
implemented at local level.
Training of staff is essential and a national training strategy
that supports the national policies; procedures and standards need
to be developed.
The
amount of technical support available within hospitals should be
reviewed to ensure that timely and up to date advice is readily
available.
A number of multi-disciplinary working groups should be convened to
develop specific standards at a national level.
Hygiene standards should form part of the national
performance-monitoring framework used by the NHO. They should define
clearly defined objectives with measurable outcomes.
A multi-disciplinary audit tool reflecting agreed national
policies; procedures and standards should be developed and used in
all hospitals.
Whilst hospital General Managers/Chief Executives have ultimate
accountability for hygiene standards, it is recommended that a
senior manager at hospital management team level takes personal
responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of the national
policies, procedures and standards.
Hospital multi-disciplinary working groups should be convened and
they should have responsibility for the ongoing development,
implementation and review of local hygiene standards. These groups
need to develop a hygiene strategy and action plan including short,
medium and long term goals that address the issues arising out of
local and national audits.
Hospitals should review the skills base of non clinical staff
involved in the delivery of hygiene standards and undertake a gap
analysis against the national training strategy requirements.
Appropriate training programmes should be developed reflecting the
needs at local level.
Hospital multi-disciplinary working groups should be required to
validate proposals and sign off plans in relation to minor and major
building schemes. It will be important to ensure that designs,
finishes and facilities have a high level of 'cleanabilty'.
