WELCOMINGATTITUDE LAUDEDATMOOREHALL
DETAILS OF RECENT UNANNOUNCED HIQA VISIT TO LOCAL HOME REVEALED WITH ‘HIGH STANDARD’ REPORTED
MOOREHALL Lodge in Drogheda was the subject of a HIQA inspection in October which found that on the whole, care at the centre was delivered to a high standard by staff who knew the residents well.
The report also noted that staff discharged their duties in a ‘respectful and dignified’ way.
The centre was found to be fully compliant on governance and management, safeguarding and safety, medication management, health and social care needs and suitable staff.
However, it was found to ‘moderately non-compliant’ on proper health and safety and risk management this related to 33 staff who are due to have their annual fire training updated. Management at the centre said the staff involved were due to attend training throughout October and November.
The inspection was carried out on October 3rd this year, from 8am to 7.30pm.
The report sets out the findings of an unannounced inspection carried out to monitor ongoing regulatory compliance.
During the course of the inspection, the inspector met with residents and staff, the provider nominee, person in charge and the management team.
The views of residents and staff were listened to, practices were observed and documentation was reviewed.
The management team responsible for the governance, operational management and administration of services and resources demonstrated good knowledge and an ability to meet regulatory requirements, according to the report.
The inspectors also said management and staff were striving to continuously improve outcomes for residents and a person-centered approach to care was observed.
Residents appeared well cared for and expressed satisfaction with the care they received, the inspectors said.
‘ There was good evidence that independence was promoted and residents have autonomy and freedom of choice. Residents spoke positively about the staff who cared for them.’
There was a total of two action plans required from the last inspection.
Findings from this inspection highlighted that significant progress had been made in addressing the non compliances identified in the past inspection and the centre is now judged as compliant in Outcome 9, Medication Management.
‘Overall, good compliance with the regulations was found during the inspections,’ the inspectors noted.
The report said there were sufficient resources in place to ensure the effective delivery of care as described in the statement of purpose.
There was a clearly defined management structure with explicit lines of authority and accountability, and the management team’s roles and responsibilities for the provision of care are unambiguous.
The management team facilitated the inspection process by providing documents and having good knowledge of residents’ care and conditions and was focused on developing a culture of quality improvement and learning to drive improvements in the standard of care delivered to residents, the report said.
A comprehensive auditing and review system was in place to capture statistical information in relation to resident quality outcomes, operational matters and staffing arrangements.
Clinical audits were carried out that analysed falls management, medicine management, care plans and health and safety audits. This information was available for inspection.
All audit results reviewed by the inspector had an action plan follow up attached to the findings.
Policies and procedures were in place to guide practice and a review of Schedule 5 policies was in place.
The management support structure in place is comprehensive, it said.
The report also noted that the provider nominee and person in charge are actively involved in the running of the centre and there is a monthly risk management team meeting.
An annual review of the quality and safety of care delivered to residents for 2016 was completed that informed the service plan being implemented in 2017. ‘ The residents and relatives spoken to throughout the one day inspection were knowledgeable about who the Director of Care was and voiced that they would have no hesitation in bringing any issues to her attention. In addition the relatives voiced full confidence that any complaint made would be appropriately followed up,’ said the inspectors.
The inspectors were satisfied that Safeguarding and Safety Measures to protect residents being harmed or suffering abuse are in place and appropriate action is taken in response to allegations, disclosures or suspected abuse.
Residents are provided with support that promotes a positive approach to behaviour that challenges. A restraint-free environment is promoted.
The inspectors saw that measures had been taken to ensure that residents were protected and felt safe while at the same time had opportunities for maintaining independence. Communal areas in all households were accessible to residents. The inspector saw that there were facilities and equipment available to support residents to retain their independence.
For example mobility aids, hand rails on corridors and circulating areas. There was a call bell facility in all rooms and within easy reach of residents. Residents told inspectors that they felt safe in the centre and spoke highly of the staff caring for them.
The restraint policy clearly defined restraint and outlined the types of restraint, assessment, checks and review practices. There was evidence of alternatives available such as low beds, sensor alarms and crash mats. Residents’ health care needs were met through timely access to medical services and appropriate treatment and therapies. Access to a general practitioner and allied healthcare professionals including psychiatry of older life, physiotherapy, dietetic, speech and language therapy, dental, ophthalmology and specialist palliative care were made available when required.
There were processes in place to ensure that when residents were admitted, transferred or discharged to and from the centre, relevant and appropriate information about their care and treatment was maintained and shared between providers and services.
On the discharge or transfer of a resident the electronic system in place had the capacity to provide a detailed discharge summary.
The report noted that the centre is divided into households and each household has a homemaker that remains in the kitchen and sitting area of each home throughout the day. Residents’ views were welcomed and residents were consulted in relation to the running of the centre. A resident forum was last held in March 2017 and ten residents attended. The residents requested that activities be available seven days a week and this was actioned.
The inspectors said significant thought had been put into each household to ensure that the atmosphere is welcoming and homely citing the fact that staff do not wear clinical uniforms as one example.
Residents’ bedrooms were personalised to a good standard with residents’ input, such as their photographs, ornaments and other memorabilia that reflected their individual life stories. Some residents had items of furniture in their bedrooms that had been brought in from home. The centre is part of the local community and residents have access to radio, television, newspapers, information and frequent outings to local events.