Multi-occupancy rooms at a HSE-run residential care home in Clonakilty, Co Cork, had a "significant impact" on a Covid-19 outbreak at the facility, according to The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).
According to a report from Hiqa, Clonakilty Community Hospital's lack of single rooms saw symptomatic and Covid-positive residents living with asymptomatic and Covid-negative residents.
Ten residents died following the outbreak with Hiqa calling on the HSE to review the management of the outbreak to prevent a similar incident happening again.
An unannounced inspection occurred at the Clonakilty nursing home over two days in June and it was found to be non-compliant on seven of the 21 regulations checked.
Hiqa had raised concerns about rooms for residents at the facility on five previous occasions, the first being March 2017.
The report stated: "While the occupancy level of a number of the multi-occupancy bedrooms had been reduced during the COVID-19 outbreak, management was unable to clarify whether this was on a temporary or permanent basis. Most of the bedrooms that previously accommodated five, six and seven residents now accommodated four residents."
It went on: “This afforded more room for residents at their bedsides, however, the rooms were not reconfigured to indicate that this was a permanent arrangement.
“Additionally, the communal space available to residents, particularly in An Ghraig and Dochas, units was not adequate. This has been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for physical distancing. In order for residents to maintain the recommended physical distancing, most residents remained at their bedside for the majority of each day.”
The report was one of 34 nursing home inspections published by Hiqa this morning.
Of the 34 reports published, inspectors found evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards in 11 centres.
In general, these centres were found to be meeting residents’ needs and delivering care in line with the national standards and regulations.
Inspectors found evidence of non-compliance in 23 centres. On these inspections, non-compliances were identified in areas including governance and management, infection control, healthcare, premises, fire precautions, staffing, residents’ rights, training and staff development, medicines and pharmaceutical services, protection, managing behaviour that is challenging, risk management and individual assessment and care plan.
