Failure to report 'notifiable' incident at St Joseph's Home, says HIQA report
St. Joseph's Home was inspected by HIQA.
A newly-published report found that a 'notifiable incident' was not reported to the relevant manager at a Waterford retirement home.
St. Joseph's Home, Ferrybank was subject to an announced inspection by HIQA inspector Sinead Crotty on June 3.
The home is owned and operated by the order of The Little Sisters of the Poor.
The report was positive overall in terms of residents' wellbeing and quality of life. There were 48 residents living in St. Joseph's on the day of the inspection. The inspector noted that patient care plans were: 'comprehensive and person-centred, including information on residents'
individual likes and preferences.'
Residents spoke highly of the staff and the facilities, commenting that the staff were: 'angels', 'they treat you like their own' and were 'devoted'.
The report read: "The inspector observed that there was a relaxed atmosphere in the centre and many residents were going about their day in line with their own preferences, for example, choosing when they wished to get up, what activities they wanted to participate in, and the food that they ate. Some residents could not verbally communicate their needs, they appeared comfortable and content.
The staffing levels were found to be well-trained and up to date with training in safeguarding, fire safety and managing responsive behaviours.
Under the category of 'reporting incidents', St. Joseph's was marked as non-compliant, stating that one 'notifiable incident' was no reported to the Office of Chief Inspector.
The provider was ordered to undertake the following directives in order to reach full compliance:
"• The incident notification procedure has been reinforced with the members of the management team.
• The management of any unexplained absence of a resident from the centre has been included in the morning and night huddles.
• The management of any unexplained absence of a resident from the centre is now included as an element of our safeguarding training.
• The Person in Charge will review all incidents on a weekly basis to confirm whether they meet the criteria for statutory notification."
The home was found to be 'substantially compliant' in regards to governance and management, fire precautions and individual assessment and care plans.
In the last category, the inspector found that a 'small number' of care plans had not been updated to reflect residents' needs: "One care plan was not updated to reflect that the frequency of safety checks had changed for a resident, while staff on the day of the inspection were carrying out the safety checks at the correct timings, this could lead to a lack of clarity for staff not aware that the frequency of safety checks had changed.
