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Saolta says steps being taken to address issues identified by health watchdog at UHG
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Steps are being taken to address a number of issues identified at UHG which may be contributing to the presence of a superbug.
It follows an unannounced inspection by health watchdog HIQA earlier this year, to monitor the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections.
It found that despite overall good practice, a number of concerns could be key factors in the ongoing presence of CPE.
The surprise inspection at UHG revealed a number of failures which are likely contributing to the ongoing outbreak of a dangerous superbug known as CPE.
CPE is a potentially fatal infection which is highly resistant to antibiotics and has been present at a number of Irish hospitals – including UHG – since last year.
While HIQA’s inspection found there is clear accountability over infection control at UHG and strong evidence of good practice, it raised a number of concerns.
These include inadequate toilet facilities, lower than desirable levels of hand hygiene compliance, insufficient isolation facilities in the emergency department and lack of dedicated equipment for patients with CPE.
It highlighted the lack of single ensuite rooms at UHG and noted that in some rooms one toilet was shared by 14 patients – which is considered a potentially significant factor in the spread of the superbug.
In response, Saolta says it welcomes the recognition of overall good practice at UHG and its committment to improving infection prevention and control.
However, it accepts there are areas for further improvement which will now be focused on through the development of a full quality improvement plan.
This will include a review of its infection prevention and control policies and equipment and hand hygience audits as well as improved discharge communication.
Saolta adds that UHG is in full compliance with national CPE screening guidelines and efforts to date have been successful in containing the number of new cases.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
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