A report into a Donegal nursing home where seven residents died in a flu outbreak last month has found that the home did not notify the authorities quickly.
It also found that there were not enough staff members to deal with the outbreak.
The Health Information and Quality Authority report into Nazareth House in Fahan near Buncrana was carried out in early April as details of the flu outbreak emerged.
Inspectors found that the home failed in its regulatory obligation to notify the Authority within a certain timeframe of the outbreak of an infectious illness.
Senior management were not told initially about the problem and there was a lack of clarity and accountability about how the outbreak had been reported.
HIQA also found instances of inadequate staffing to deal with the increased workload and shortcomings in policies on infection control.
Inspectors said there appeared to be no established procedure to enable early detection of influenza in the home.
There were also some deficits in the standard of cleanliness and hygiene and the maintenance arrangements for equipment.
In response, Nazareth House has said it is updating its risk management policy and developing a protocol to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for reported suspected outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Seven people died in the outbreak over a 15-day period from late March to mid-April. The virus influenza (A) was responsible.
That strain is particularly dangerous for older and vulnerable patients with weak immune systems.
The home is run by the Sisters of Nazareth and caters for 48 residents.
Sisters of Nazareth says protocols put in place
A statement from the Sisters of Nazareth today said they have worked with HIQA to resolve the actions highlighted with immediate effect during the influenza outbreak at the start of April.
“A number of protocols have been put in place to ensure that we receive information from other medical bodies when dealing with such outbreaks. The home was not advised of the causes of death of residents who died in Letterkenny General Hospital,” it said.
It also stated “it must be recognised that not all of the deaths occurred at Nazareth House in Fahan, nor that all those who died did so of an influenza related illness. Post mortems were not undertaken on those who died and therefore influenza as the sole contributory factor to the deaths cannot be confirmed”.
