HIQA report identifies infection control issues at Louth disability centre

An unannounced inspection at the Cois Farraige centre for disabilities in Louth found it to be non-compliant with infection control, according to a new report published by The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

The centre, which is run by St John of God Community Services CLG, consists of a four bedroom, dormer bungalow situated in close proximity to a number of villages and towns in Co. Louth and was caring for four residents at the time of inspection in September 2022.

The report was complimentary of the staff that were on duty at the time with the inspector noting “that residents were treated with dignity and respect at all times.”

They further noted that residents appeared happy and had a number of daily activities put on for them.

The report noted that one resident said that they liked living there and liked the staff. 

“They knew the staff that were on duty that night and spoke about how they liked when that staff was on, because they had similar interests.”

The report further stated that there was a comprehensive support plan in place to support the residents' needs. 

“Residents were regularly monitored for changes in their presentation and had timely access to allied health professionals. In relation to IPC (Infection Prevention and Control)  measures the staff were very knowledgeable around how to support a resident should they become symptomatic.”

However the report  noted that there was also a large number of updates required to the property, some of which were impacting on maintaining effective IPC standards.

These included:

• the utility room needed to be redesigned as at the time of the inspection it was functioning as a laundry room, an office and a place where medicines were administered  
• some of the rooms in the centre needed to repainted  
• an area of the worktop in the kitchen was cracked and broken  
• the shower room needed to be remodelled  
• an armchair in the sitting room was frayed and torn  
• the carpet on the stairs and landing needed to be cleaned. 

It was also mentioned that the vehicle used by the centre was visibly grubby on the day of the inspection despite the provider having a policy in place to ensure that the vehicle in the centre was cleaned regularly. 

“In addition the vehicle had been modified with a material that was not conducive to cleaning effectively. A perspex shield in the bus was also cracked and could pose an IPC risk,” the report stated.

"Staff were knowledgeable around the control measures in place to mitigate IPC risks in the centre and acknowledged that they had support from senior managers should any concerns arise.

"However, they also acknowledged that over the last number of months with staff vacancies it was not always possible to complete all tasks such as cleaning during particularly busy times."

The inspector noted on the staff rota, that on a number of occasions only one staff member was rostered on duty. This had not been risk assessed nor was it clear how staff should complete all IPC tasks given this shortfall and the needs of the residents.

The report ultimately concluded that the centre was non compliant with protection against infection regulations and required St John of God Community Services to detail how these non compliance issues had been/will be rectified by 31st March this year.

The report notes that the group has created a plan to deal with the issues raised including updating of new fittings and remodelling/cleaning works.