A centre for older people in Kerry needed to take significant action to become compliant with regulations, according to the health watchdog.
The Health Information and Quality Authority carried out an unannounced inspection at Our Lady of Lourdes Care Facility in Kilcummin in October.
Among the issues identified in HIQA’s report included that residents’ care plans were generic, while a resident who needed assistance was not attended to promptly by staff.
The centre was found to be non-compliant in seven of 20 areas inspected, although HIQA also noted most residents were full of praise for the staff, especially their kindness and attention to their needs, while they also felt safe in the centre.
HIQA says its inspectors were forced to issue an immediate action to the providers over the maintenance of the first-floor balcony, while flooring in some bedrooms required repair; HIQA said this was a repeat finding from a previous inspection.
Inspectors found most care plans were generic, lacked the detail required for effective, person-centred care, and were not updated when a resident’s condition changed; HIQA said significant action was needed to comply with this regulation.
Some staff had not completed all required training, while inspectors said staff supervision was not robust and required improvement.
Inspectors found residents’ preferences for food choices, preferences for personal care, or right to go to bed at their time of choosing, were not always upheld.
Privacy curtains in some shared rooms would not provide adequate privacy when closed, while a resident was not attended to promptly by staff, when they required assistance with their personal care.
The inspectors also saw that two residents’ meals were left for long periods in front of them with no assistance provided from staff.
Inspectors were told staff sometimes manually disposed of waste from bedpans into toilets, which is a risk of environmental contamination, while there were no alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in bedrooms.
In a detailed response, the centre said the entire facility will be deep-cleaned, the privacy curtains will be replaced, and a flooring subcontractor has been hired for the areas highlighted by HIQA.
Staff have been told there is zero tolerance for emptying the contents of bedpans into toilets, while a schedule has been developed for weight monitoring of residents.
The centre says the importance of responding to residents in a timely manner has been discussed with the team.
