HIQA report cites fire safety concerns at St Eunan’s Nursing Home

An unannounced Health Information and Quality Assurance (HIQA) in inspection at St Eunan’s Nursing Home found a number of significant fire safety concerns. 

The centre was also deemed non compliant in regard to regulations dealing with premises and residents’ rights. 

The facility was compliant in most other respects, including areas of patient care. 

St Eunan’s is a purpose built residential care facility in Letterkenny which can accommodate up to 43 residents who need long-term, respite, convalescent or end of life care. 

When the inspection took place on March 7, there were 32 residents being accommodated. 

In an inspection report issued on August 3, HIQA noted: “Overall, the feedback from the residents was that they enjoyed a good quality of life in the centre. The inspectors observed that the residents enjoyed the company of staff and that staff interactions with residents were respectful. 

“However, significant focus and efforts are now required to ensure that the centre's premises support the safe and effective delivery of service and promote the rights and dignity of residents.”

Fire Safety

A number of fire safety measures were being implemented as a result of previous inspections. However, the inspector noted a number of outstanding issues which led to them requesting an updated fire safety risk assessment and a time-bound plan to complete all actions. 

Among the fire safety concerns were: 

-The inspectors were not assured that adequate means of escape and emergency lighting were provided throughout the centre. The route to some fire exits were not clear.

-The location of a gas shut-off valve was not clear to the inspectors as it was under a sink and countertop in the kitchen. 

-A chemical store room was not fitted with a fire rated door.  

-Fire sensors were missing from a number of locations in the centre. 

-The inspectors were not assured that arrangements for containment of fire and detection in the event of a fire emergency were adequate. While fire doors in general were in good condition, the inspectors identified deficiencies with fire doors sampled. One office door did not have a door closer fitted, and a sluice room door had signs of damage. Some fire doors had gaps over the maximum allowable tolerance.

-Outside the centre, the inspectors noted a lack of emergency lighting and directional signage to guide residents and staff in the event of a night time evacuation from the rear and side of the centre.

-Adequate arrangements were not in place for maintaining all fire equipment, means of escape and the building fabric.

-A fire blanket was missing from a designated smoking room for residents. 

-A treatment room which contained medication and cardboard boxes had an oxygen cylinder located in the room. 

-The maintenance of the building fabric in some areas required attention. In a sluice room, the inspectors noted gaps around plumbing and utilities that penetrated the ceiling and required fire sealing.  

-The inspectors were not assured the fire detection alarm system and emergency lighting were being regularly serviced and maintained. An up-to-date annual inspection and testing certificate for the fire detection alarm system was not available on the day of the inspection. 

-Floor plans displayed in the centre were very small and illegible

Premises

The inspector reported that the centre's five twin-bedded rooms did not meet the needs of the resident. There was not sufficient space around the beds in these rooms to facilitate the use of equipment such as hoists or comfort chairs, and as such, these bedrooms were not suitable for higher-dependency residents who need to use this type of equipment.

The size and layout of these twin bedrooms did not allow each resident to have a chair beside their bed.  

It was also noted that equipment such as wheelchairs and hoists were stored in communal rooms, and storage of equipment in residents' communal areas has reduced the space available for residents to safely move around the centre. The soft furnishings of assistive equipment, such as specialised wheelchairs and crash mattresses, were ripped and were torn and needed to be repaired.  

The edges of the floor covering were detached in some areas, and there were gaps between the flooring and the skirting board in several areas of the building. 

Care

The inspectors observed that a high standard of evidence-based nursing and health care is provided to the residents and that the feedback from the residents was overall positive about the care they receive in the centre.

“There was a calm and welcoming atmosphere in the centre,” the inspector reported. 

Inspectors noted significant improvements in the care provided to the residents. The inspectors also observed that there had been a significant improvement in the staffing levels.

Compliance 

St Eunan’s Nursing Home was found to be non-compliant in regulations regarding governance and management, premises and fire precautions.

It was found to be substantially compliant with regulations regarding infection control, and personal possessions.

The facility was deemed compliant with regard to staffing, training and staff development, records, insurance, notifications of incidents, complaints procedure, written policies and procedures, information for residents, individual assessment and care plan, health care, managing behaviour that is challenging, and protection.

The full report can be viewed at HIQA.ie

St Eunan’s Nursing Home has submitted a plan to bring it to full compliance.