28 Oct
Hygiene Quality Improvement Plan, 2016 / 2017, against the Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections
Temple Street Children’s University Hospital acknowledges the publication today of the final Report of the monitoring assessment of the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (NSPCHCAI) on www.hiqa.ie (the Health Information and Quality Authority website).
This report was published following an unannounced inspection by HIQA, of Temple Street on 27th July 2016. This inspection was of the environmental , patient equipment and hand hygiene in certain areas of the hospital and the final report comprises key findings relating to areas of non-compliance with the NSPCHCAI. HIQA however found that significant progress had been made by the hospital in response to these findings at the time of re-inspection on 6th September 2016 and this progress is also highlighted in the final Report.
It should be noted that the areas visited by HIQA during the first inspection and re-inspection were contained within the oldest parts of the hospital and were not deemed to meet the desirable specifications of a modern children’s hospital and therefore did not facilitate compliance with the NSPCHCAI as opportunities to improve the patient care environment are somewhat limited.
Temple Street is unequivocally committed to providing an environment that is clean and safe for patients, staff and members of the public by minimising the risk of spreading infectious diseases and controlling health hazard and maintaining requirements as set out within current legislation and National Standards. In its overall approach to infection control, it should therefore be noted that;
- In October 2015, Temple Street achieved a 92% compliance rate and in May 2016, achieved a 93% compliance rate in the bi-annual national Hand Hygiene audits. Hand hygiene is recognised as one of the most important measures in preventing HCAIs (Healthcare Acquired Infections)
- In Q2 2016, Temple Street introduced a hospital-wide ‘Bare Below the Elbows’ initiative, aiming to further improve the effectiveness of hand hygiene. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that long sleeves be avoided, as they are found to be contaminated with pathogens, and can impede appropriate hand hygiene
- In 2015, 47% of the Temple Street staff availed of the flu vaccination and to date, in 2016, up to 65% of our staff have availed of the flu vaccine, to prevent the spread of flu to vulnerable patients and staff. Vulnerable patients rely on the immunity of those who care for them to keep them safe. Flu is responsible for between 200 and 500 deaths each year in Ireland and in a severe season it can cause up to 1000 deaths
- Temple Street’s multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Team comprises a Consultant Microbiologist, an Antimicrobial Pharmacist, a Microbiology Specialist Registrar, an Infectious Disease Physician and Infection Prevention Control Nurse Specialist. This Team continues to support a strong programme to ensure that systems are in place to monitor antimicrobial use and resistance as well as advising all medical and nursing staff on antimicrobial use. Sustained improvement in antimicrobial prescribing – documentation of indication and adherence to local guidelines was maintained at 100% in 2015. The hospital can clearly demonstrate the reduction in overall antimicrobial consumption levels and reducing antibiotic use can lead to a reduction in resistant infections
- Since early 2015, parents of children attending Temple Street have been involved in the hospital’s hygiene audits and inspections to promote engagement, consultation and feedback
Following on from the publication of today’s final Report of the monitoring assessment of the NSPCHCAI by HIQA and the findings contained therein, Temple Street is in the process of amending its QIP (Quality Improvement Plan) that prioritises the improvements necessary to comply fully with the standards and will be publishing this plan within six weeks of the date of publication of this Report.
