Staff face 'name and shame' threat
BID TO IMPROVE HYGIENE IN LOURDES
Wednesday February 03 2010
MANAGEMENT at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital have threatened to implement a 'name and shame' policy if staff do not adhere to the strict hand hygiene policies in the hospital.
The warning comes following a damning hygiene audit of the hospital by HIQA who criticised the poor level of hand hygiene by staff, despite an ongoing outbreak of C Dif at the time the audit was carried out in December 2009.
The hospital was given a written warning after the same inspection last year delivered a 'poor' rating.
In a memo circulated to staff, Group General Manager Louth/Meath, Des O'Flynn said the recent report highlighted a number of issues in relation to the standards of hygiene and cleanliness which was not acceptable for patients and service users in the hospital.
'Specifically, the standards of cleaning in the environment and staff hand hygiene practices were found to be substandard,' he said.
'This is extremely disappointing in light of the significant work undertaken throughout the organisation since the introduction of the National Hygiene standards in 2006 and more recently, the time, effort and resources invested in staff hand hygiene.'
He went on to say management will be continuing their hand hygiene observational audits and spot audit and will embark on a programme of 'naming and shaming' staff who, having received the appropriate training and education, do not pass the observational audit.
'Disciplinary action may also result if there is a persistent break of regulations relating to hand hygiene,' he added.
- Fiona MAGENNIS
