An inspection of Cavan General Hospital by the Health Information and Quality Authority has found major problems with hand hygiene and a possibly associated high level of infection.
In a report published this morning, HIQA noted that there had been an increase in the incidence of Clostridium difficile in the hospital due to a variety of factors including poor hand hygiene.
The unannounced inspection took place on 9 October when staff from HIQA inspected two surgical wards in the hospital.
In the report, HIQA described the problems with hand washing as an "immediate high risk" to the health and welfare of patients, staff and visitors.
In correspondence after the visit, the hospital acknowledged that the rate of Clostridium difficile infection "has been significantly above both the national average and HSE target rates for both 2013 and 2014".
However, the management insisted that this was due to the "persistent incidence of isolated unrelated cases" rather than one major outbreak.
HIQA said "a failure of good hand hygiene practice cannot be out ruled as a contributory factor".
The authority said Cavan General Hospital should review the deficits identified during the visit to ensure the risks of the spread of Clostridium difficile and other infections are reduced.
The report reveals that the inspectors had concerns about the cleanliness of some patient equipment in Surgical Ward 2.
There was also "unacceptable levels of dust" in some areas of the ward.
In Surgical 1 the team found opportunities for improvements in the cleanliness of patient areas.
