The two hospitals categorised as having poor hygiene standards when inspected earlier this year have now cleaned up their act, the Health Service Executive has said.
The South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital in Cork and Monaghan General Hospital were reinspected in October and November and the results show they significantly improved their performance. Both had received overall scores of 75 per cent in the second national hospitals hygiene audit published in July.
Following latest inspections they achieved scores of 94 per cent and 93 per cent respectively.
The HSE stressed that the latest audits were again unannounced and conducted in a similar manner to the previous ones by Desford Consultancy Ltd.
"The results of the re-audit are very encouraging," it said. "Both hospitals demonstrated a more proactive and innovative approach to improving hygiene standards and a cultural shift was evident during the audit. The challenge now is to maintain the momentum in order to address the outstanding issues and ensure continuous improvement."
Meanwhile, hygiene in all hospitals across the State will be assessed again as part of the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board Hygiene Services Assessment Scheme in 2007.