The health watchdog says the lack of an onsite consultant microbiologist impacted on the effectiveness of infection control at University Hospital Kerry.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published the results of an unannounced inspection it carried out at UHK on December 3rd last.
The inspection was part of a national monitoring programme for the prevention and control of infections in acute healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HIQA inspectors found there were clear lines of accountability and responsibility for prevention and control of infection at University Hospital Kerry; national COVID-19 guidelines were reviewed and implemented at the hospital.
UHK had yet not experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 at the time of inspection.
Extensive infrastructure work had taken place to provide separate pathways for patients with and without COVID-19 and the Intensive Care Unit had been upgraded and refurbished.
Although there was an antimicrobial stewardship programme in place, the infection prevention and control team at the hospital was under resourced.
The lack of an onsite consultant microbiologist impacted on the effectiveness of the programme.
The CEO of the South/South West Hospital Group said efforts to fill the position were ongoing and arrangements were in place to ensure clinical oversight by an off-site consultant microbiologist.
HIQA found appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was good but the uptake of hand hygiene training required improvement.
Inspectors said patient equipment and wards were generally clean but some surfaces and finishes in the Annagh and Sceilig wards were chipped and worn and did not facilitate effective cleaning.
