NUTRITION AND MEDICATION AMONG CONCERNS IN DAMNING REPORT ON OUGHTERARD NURSING HOME

Date Published: 20-Aug-2012

Management of nutrition, medication and falls are among the concerns listed in the latest inspection reports carried out on Owen Riff private nursing home in Oughterard.

Four such reports have been published by the Health Information and Quality Authority to date.

The owners of the 40 bed facility recently withdrew their appeal to a closure order issued by the District Court last month.

During the unannounced monitoring inspection in April, inspectors were not satisfied that the provider had taken sufficient action to address failings identified in a previous report.

Significant concerns remained over management of nutrition and weight loss, falls management, wound management and access to health professionals.

It was noted that residents were observed to be unkempt and their hair not brushed or combed.

Male residents were unshaven, and there was a "bowel/shower" book in use, which indicated that the majority of residents did not have a bath or shower in the previous month, instead "sponge" was recorded.

Inspectors were also concerned about the portion size of means and said water and drinks were not freely available or accessible to residents.