Norovirus outbreak and phone signal issues fail in HIQA report

In an unannounced, two-day inspection of Waterford Nursing Home, at Ballinakill Downs, Dunmore Road in Waterford city, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found it to be fully compliant under nine regulations and substantially compliant under three regulations. However, the service did not meet infection control standards.

On the day of the inspection, February 27, the inspector found that “the centre was dealing with an outbreak of Norovirus, which had an impact on the lived experience of the residents in the centre.” 

While appropriate signage, hand sanitising facilities and masks were in place and “visiting was still encouraged”, the report stated that bedroom doors of isolating residents were not closed, which is not in line with transmission-based precautions. There was also no precautionary signage on said doors to indicate which residents were isolating.

Furthermore, residents who were supposed to be in isolation were “observed walking with purpose on corridors, when they were supposed to be in isolation. The management team had acknowledged this and stated that it was the residents’ choice not to stay in the room. No risk assessment was conducted to determine any measures to control the risk that this presented.” 

Despite these findings of the centre being substantially or not compliant, the inspector noted from speaking to residents and visitors that “it was clear the residents received a high standard of quality care".

“The overall feedback from residents was that the management and staff were kind and caring and that they were happy living in the centre,” concluded the inspector.

In a separate, announced inspection, Kilbarry Care Centre was found to be fully compliant or substantially compliant with all regulations.

Improvements were required in the areas of residents’ rights, complaints procedures, and infection control to meet all regulatory requirements.

Similar to the first inspected site, the inspector observed professionalism in how staff members interact with and cared for their residents. 

"Kilbarry Care Centre was a nice place to live… Residents’ rights and dignity were supported and promoted by kind and competent staff," said the inspector in the report. 

“Residents appeared to enjoy a good quality of life and had many opportunities for social engagement and meaningful activities, and they were supported by a kind and dedicated team of staff. Residents stated that the staff were always available to assist with their personal care and that staff were always quick to answer their call bells. A number of residents were living with a cognitive impairment and were unable to fully express their opinions to the inspector. However, these residents appeared to be content, appropriately dressed and well-groomed," the inspector added. 

Although the service was found to be compliant with most regulations, one of the inspector's concerns needing to be addressed included making improvements to meeting requirements under Residents’ Rights.

In this case, the inspector found that the service was just substantially compliant as “mobile phone coverage in the centre was not consistent and required review”. 

Additionally, under the same regulations, the service was substantially compliant where additional fees needed to be reviewed.

The inspector explained: “The additional fees outlined in the contracts of care required revision. Part A of the contract outlined an additional charge of €10 per day or €70 per week, to cover services including activities, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and dietitian. Part B of the contract listed these services and their individual charges.

“A sample of contracts viewed showed that these residents were required to pay the €70 per week, regardless of if they availed of these services or not.” 

The Kilbarry Care Centre has until July 31 to fully comply with all regulatory requirements.