RESIDENTS AT a private nursing home in Laytown, Co Meath, suffered 19 falls over a six-week period and received a poor level of care that resulted in serious risks to their health, an independent inspection has found.
Inspectors at the Health Information and Quality Authority said yesterday they had “significant concerns for the care and welfare of residents” at the Creevelea House Nursing Home, which can cater for up to 44 residents.
In one incident a resident who had broken her leg after a fall was subjected to an “invasive and inappropriate procedure” resulting in an anal tear. Another resident, who regularly refused food, developed a pressure ulcer and did not receive appropriate care, according to a report on the inspection by the authority, which took place over five days in March and April 2010.
The inspection, which was triggered by concerns raised by a former resident, uncovered 34 separate breaches of the statutory regulations which were considered so serious the service provider was summoned to a meeting with the inspectors at the authority.
Inspectors found there was no one in charge of the nursing home during the inspection process, which resulted in a lack of leadership and support for staff. There was no evidence of ongoing monitoring of the service, there was inadequate food stocks, the centre was draughty and poor standards of hygiene were observed.
Inspectors found insufficient precautions had been taken to manage risks, specifically in relation to accidents. There was also a lack of supervision of residents assessed at being at risk of falls.
“Nineteen falls had occurred over a six-week period, one of which was serious and resulted in a fractured hip. None of these incidents had been notified to the authority,” states the report.
Staff levels, supervision and skills mix was not appropriate to meet the healthcare needs of the 31 residents at the centre. An inspector checked one resident who could be heard calling for assistance. On entering the room the resident was asking to get up, there was a strong smell of urine and the resident’s mouth was dry.
“This was brought to the attention of care staff who, when asked if the resident had been offered anything to drink since breakfast, responded ‘no, when she is like this she refuses everything’,” it was stated in the report.
Inspectors spoke to six residents and two relatives during the course of the inspection. Some comments were positive, but most comments were negative with residents criticising the food, a lack of outings and things to do.
When the concerns of inspectors were first brought to the attention of the service provider, Peter Murphy, an interim contingency plan was agreed. When inspectors returned to the nursing home on April 13th they found the plan had not been fully implemented.
Mr Murphy was subsequently summoned to a meeting with the inspectors, who made 34 recommendations to enable the home to meet the statutory regulations.
In a response to the inspection, Mr Murphy said the provider had “endeavoured to promptly address all matters where clear written guidelines and recommendations have been communicated”.
“Staff are to be commended for their commitment,” he said.
Inspection report: main recommendations
- Ensure someone in charge is employed with appropriate skills to run the nursing home
- Review supervision systems
- Revise the accident and incident reporting processes
- Review prescription practices
- Provide a more varied choice of activities.
Source: Hiqa