Health watchdog HIQA has released a damning report into hygiene standards and overcrowding at the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street.
An October inspection by the Health and Quality Information Authority revealed some worrying issues throughout the hospital, which, according to management, is struggling with space restrictions until it moves to new premises in 2018.
In the latest report, detailed in The Irish Times, the cleaning standards in the delivery room were deemed ‘insufficient’ after organic matter was found splashed on beds, patient equipment and ward walls. The design of the room was also slammed, with inspectors describing it as “outdated”.
Dust removal labelled ‘suboptimal’, while overall, environmental hygiene was “very poor”.
A total of 46 babies were found to be in an intensive care ward designed to accommodate 36, something HIQA said increased the risk of infection. One of the hospital’s fire exits was also found to be partially obstructed by a cot and the inspector reported poor management of clinical waste and no hand hygiene audits.
When HIQA returned for a follow-up inspection six weeks later, some of the issues had been dealt with but the hospital said that the overcrowding could not be addressed because of space restrictions.
In a letter to HIQA, Hospital Master Dr Rhona Mahony said the hospital staff admit sick babies to the overcrowded ward because “the risk of not doing so is greater and due to the unavailability of other options within the country”.
Dr Mahony also pointed out that Holles Street has had no bloodstream infections such as MRSA since 2010 and its perinatal mortality rates are exceptionally low by international standards.
9,000 babies are born in Holles Street every year in ten delivery rooms.
