During an announced inspection at Portiuncula University Hospital on 9 and 10 May 2023, HIQA found the hospital to be compliant or substantially compliant with nine national standards, partially compliant with four national standards and non-compliant with one national standard assessed during inspection.
The hospital had an effective management arrangement in place to support and promote the delivery of care in the ED, but was challenged with capacity issues and lack of isolation facilities resulting in poor patient flow. There was a mismatch between demand for inpatient beds, especially isolation facilities, and the hospital’s overall capacity which resulted in 14 admitted patients being accommodated in an overcrowded ED environment while awaiting an inpatient bed.
It was evident that hospital management and staff were aware of the need to respect and promote the dignity, privacy and autonomy of people receiving care at the hospital. Patients who spoke with inspectors were positive about their experience of care in the hospital.
The hospital had systematic monitoring arrangements in place to identify and act on opportunities to improve the quality and safety of healthcare services at the hospital. Hospital management was planning, organising and managing their nursing, medical and support staff in the ED and wider hospital to support the provision of high-quality, safe healthcare. The hospital was actively recruiting to fill vacant posts, such as pharmacy vacancies, which had been challenging to recruit.