Updated at 22.50pm

INSPECTORS WITH HEALTH watchdog Hiqa found ‘unacceptable’ problems at the operating theatre in Kerry General Hospital in an unannounced visit to the facility in July of this year, according to their report published today.

The Operating Theatre Complex, opened in 1985, was “dilapidated with several areas of ceilings, walls, woodwork, and floors significantly damaged, worn and non-intact to the extent that they could not be cleaned effectively”, the report found.

The inspectors warned:

“These findings are essentially unacceptable in any clinical area but are of particular concern in high risk clinical areas such as operating theatres.”

The surfaces and finishes in the area had “not been proactively maintained or upgraded” in the last 30 years, the report found.

What’s being done

During a re-inspection in August of this year provisional plans were being drawn up to upgrade the theatre complex. Risks identified by inspectors are being addressed by local managers and senior HSE management.

“It was reported that there was an agreed timeline for renovation of individual operating suites to commence in December 2015,” the report said.

“Some preliminary works had begun and superficial repairs had been made to walls and woodwork in the main theatre corridor.

“One operating theatre suite had been repainted. Painting was in progress in staff rooms and plans were in place to upgrade staff change-rooms and provide a theatre footwear cleaning device.”

Legionnaires’ disease

Inspectors also found no formal risk assessment for the bacteria that causes the lung infection Legionnaires’ disease had ever been performed at the hospital.

“National guidelines recommend that all hospitals have a Legionella site risk assessment which is reviewed on an annual basis and independently reviewed every two years,” their report said.

“Although the hospital has engaged an external contractor to undertake some water system maintenance works, it was reported to the Authority that a formal site risk assessment had never been performed in Kerry General Hospital and water testing for Legionella was not performed.”

Legionella bacteria are commonly found in water supplies. Hospitals are vulnerable to contamination because they have more complex water supply systems than other buildings.

First published at 2.28pm

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