Inspectors find hand hygiene at UHG is not what it should be
Hand hygiene at University Hospital Galway is not what it should be, according to independent inspectors.
HIQA (the Health Information and Quality Authority), following an unannounced inspection of the city hospital, said there is “scope for improvement” in the area of hand hygiene.
The HIQA report pointed out that in the first three months of this year, hand hygiene audits in both St Nicholas’ Ward and St Michael’s Ward, “demonstrated less than desirable compliance rates”.
St Michael’s Ward achieved 60% compliance in an audit undertaken in January 2016. St Nicholas’ Ward achieved 65% in January and 70% in February 2016. HIQA noted these audits were based on 15 opportunities which is less than the recommended sample and may not be a true reflection of day-to-day compliance.
It said that “little improvement was evident” relating to medical/dental staff compliance with mandatory hand hygiene training.
HIQA highlighted this as a problem in 2014 but there had been “no improvement” since.
For more on this story, see this week's Galway City Tribune