Nursing home fails to meet HSE standards
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED
Swords Nursing Home
Related Articles
A NURSING home located on the site of the former Leas Cross facility has failed to meet HSE standards in caring for the elderly, following an inspection.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspected Swords Nursing Home on July 30th this year, after receiving a letter of complaint.
Inspectors met with residents, relatives, the director of nursing and staff during the visit, reviewing documents such as staff rotas, policies, care plans and medical administration records.
Overall, inspectors had concerns that the nursing home did not meet the requirements of the standards set out in the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland and the 2007 Health Act.
They had 'significant concerns' for the safety and care of residents, management of residents with behaviour that is challenging, the quality of care plans, quality and choice of meals, recruitment and retention of staff and medication management practices. Some improvements are required to ensure the privacy and dignity of residents, as well as with complaints procedures, health and safety practices, the organisation of staff and use of space within the home.
Residents had told inspectors their clothes 'go missing' and their 'food was often cold' and the inspectorate found food to be cold after sampling.
' There is a requirement for significant improvement in the leadership and management of the nursing home,' the HIQA report read. 'These related to the rights of residents, the privacy and dignity of residents, care of residents, medication management, risk management and staff management.'
Inspectors saw one resident with blood stains on his shirt whose wound dressing was falling off and saw a lady sitting in the day room with heavy discharge from her nose , which was then attended to.
'Both residents remained in that state, unattended for a number of hours, even though staff members regularly passed by,' the report noted. ' The gentleman was attended to after an inspector asked a staff member about his condition.'
Coloured stickers denoting MRSA, diabetes, 'risk of falls' and infection were affixed to the bedroom doors of residents, as well as notices containing personal information, which had compromised the 'privacy and confidentiality' of residents.
Activities observed on the day had taken place in an 'overcrowded day room' when others were available. A further unannounced inspection took place on September 9th and a report will be published in the coming weeks.
- Robin KIELY
