Macroom home bans visits over virus case
HIQA ISSUES ITS REPORT ON HOME
VISITS to residents of a Macroom nursing home remain suspended following the diagnosis of a member of staff with COVID-19.
The positive result came to light during routine tests in Macroom Care Choice last week.
It is now understood that all residents at the home, which can accommodate 62 residents, will be tested for the virus as a precautionary measure.
CareChoice Macroom last had a positive case of COVID-19 on April 20.
Residents and their families, as well as staff, continue to be kept informed in relation to COVID-19, it has been reported.
The Corkman contacted Macroom Care Choice on Wednesday and was referred to a Dublin office for the company which owns and administers a number of similar facilities throughout the country. There was no response from this number as this newspaper went to press.
In previous media reports, a spokesperson for CareChoice (Macroom) Limited said: “During routine weekly testing of staff, one who was asymptomatic tested positive for COVID-19 at CareChoice nursing home in Macroom.
“All other staff members tested negative.”
Macroom Care Choice came in for criticism as it was featured in a report by the health watchdog HIQA, released on July 8.
The report was regarding an unannounced inspection on January
15 this year. HIQA recorded non-compliance in three of the 20 areas examined.
The inspector found the number of care staff working over the course of the inspection was inadequate, given the “needs and dependency levels” of residents.
The inspector also reported that call bells were “being left unanswered for an unreasonable amount of time” and “residents waiting unreasonable amounts of time for assistance”.
HIQA also said two bedrooms were deemed “inappropriate for residents who are not independently mobile”.
Some beds were considered “too close together”.
On the report, CareChoice (Macroom) Ltd said: “Hiqa’s inspection report stated that overall, the inspector found that a good service was being provided to the residents living in CareChoice Macroom, and they enjoyed a good quality of life.
“CareChoice Macroom has addressed the issue identified in relation to staffing levels and has also successfully maintained staffing levels during the COVID-19 crisis.”