Dirty toilet floors and fire doors not working in Donegal Community Hospital

A Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspection at Donegal Community Hospital found that there were fire safety concerns on the premises. 

Issues with infection control were also reported, as was non-compliance in a number of other areas.

The hospital is run by the HSE. Situated on the outskirts of Donegal Town, it is a 29-bed unit located on the ground floor. It provides palliative care, respite care, convalescence, rehabilitation and continuing care. Accommodation comprises seven single bedrooms (six en suite), one en suite twin bedroom and five multiple-occupancy bedrooms, each accommodating four residents. 

The unannounced HIQA inspection took place on March 29.

According to HIQA: “Overall, the inspector observed that the nursing and health care provided to the residents was of good quality; however, improvements were required to improve the internal premises, infection control practices and fire precautions in this centre.

“Furthermore, actions were required to ensure that residents' rights were upheld.

“The feedback from the residents was generally positive; however, some residents who spoke with the inspector said that their lived experience in the centre could be improved.”

Regarding fire safety, the inspector said: “The provider’s fire safety precautions did not ensure that residents were adequately protected in the event of a fire in the centre.”

Examples of this included: some fire doors not having automatic closing devices, fire doors in the laundry not closing properly, fire drill records not being sufficiently detailed, personal emergency evacuation plans of residents not up-to-date, oxygen cylinders stored in corridors, poor fire precautions in the laundry area including a significant build up of lint in the tumble dryer which posed a fire hazard.

Regarding infection control, the inspector noted a number of concerns which included: “Flooring of shared toilets in most of the four-bedded rooms were visibly unclean, the laundry room was visibly dirty, no functional separation of the clean and dirty phases of the laundering process, which posed a risk of cross contamination, shared moving and handling equipment such as hoists were stored in en suite toilets and there was no clear process for identifying when this equipment was cleaned after use and before it was used for another resident, transport wheelchairs stored in the centre's corridors were visibly unclean, not enough clinical hand washbasins outside of the resident's bedrooms.

The inspector observed that the staff did not always practise hand hygiene after assisting residents with their care needs.

Some of the issues raised to the inspector by residents related to lack of privacy in the four-bed rooms, as well as feeling cold at night but not being allowed to close the door, sharing a television between four people, and not having enough room for their clothes.

Regarding the premises itself, the inspector reported: “There were no photographs or pictures displayed on the walls of the corridors and the sitting area of the centre, and in general, the atmosphere of the centre was dull and was not stimulating and relaxing. 

“The centre's ceiling had visible dark stains in several areas of the centre, which appeared to be caused by dampness arising due to moisture build-up. 

“In one location, the inspector noted that the dampness had extended to a wall. This was brought to the attention of the provider, and they informed the inspector that these marks were due to water damage from the centre's leaking roof.

On a more positive note, residents reported being happy with the choice of food and dining arrangements. 

Regarding care practices and staff interaction with residents, the inspector said: “The staff attended to the call bells in a timely manner, and staff interactions with residents were respectful. 

“An activity schedule was available in the centre, and activity staff coordinated the residents' social care programmes. 

“The residents enjoyed a variety of activities such as group exercise, walks outside, newspaper reading, puzzles, card making and interactive sensory light games using a device.”

Donegal Community Hospital was found to be non-compliant in areas of fire safety, premises, infection control, governance and management, and residents’ rights.

It was deemed substantially compliant in terms of training and staff development, personal possessions, and individual assessment and care plans.

The facility was compliant in staffing, records, and health care. 

HSE responds to HIQA report of Donegal Community Hospital inspection

The HSE says it has taken actions ‘to ensure the service is operating to the required standards and in full compliance’

Overall, it was noted that the centre, built originally as a hospital, was not suitable for the type of long-term care for which it was being used.

Action plans were put in place to bring Donegal Community Hospital to a state of compliance.