Overcrowding concerns at mayo cancer unit

HIQA has raised concerns over overcrowding at the cancer treatment unit of Mayo General Hospital following an unannounced inspection of the facility last month.

The authority found that 20 patients were accommodated in two rooms on the oncology/haematology day ward. This is double the number of treatment spaces listed for the hospital in a National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Oncology Medication Safety Review Report published in February 2014.

Sixteen out of the 20 patients on the day ward were accommodated in an open-plan room, which is not in line with best practice guidance for cancer treatment facilities which state that ‘open-plan areas should be divided into smaller zones of no more than six chairs’.

There are no designated isolation facilities on the ward for patients with known or suspected transmissible infection and there is only one designated patient toilet for use by patients undergoing treatment and patients in the ward waiting area. Access to one of three clinical hand wash sinks in the open-plan room was restricted at the time of the inspection.

Hand hygiene compliance at the hospital on the day of the 2015 inspection was poor, and a decline in compliance was also evident in the national hand hygiene audit at the end of 2014.

HIQA drew attention to the fact that a 2014 inspection highlighted the risk assessment for the prevention and control of Legionella at the hospital needed to be reviewed.

The authority was informed that this was due to be carried out by an external company in the near future. However, at the time of the most recent inspection this had still not been conducted.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny commented on the findings of the inspection on March 12 last.

He stated: “It was disappointing to note the inadequacies pointed out during the inspection. I am, however, happy to note that HIQA have recognised that a number of improvements have been put in place and I expect management and staff to work with the HSE to implement fully the recommendations in the report, particularly in reference to hand hygiene.

“I look forward to Mayo General Hospital continuing to be in the top-tier of medical facilities and acting to ensure competent and safe care for the people of the county. The staff of Mayo General work extremely hard and I wish to thank them for their efforts.”