Questions have been raised over air quality checks at Letterkenny University Hospital after the HSE confirmed it has not formally assessed if poor ventilation is linked to hospital-acquired infections.
The issue was raised at the Regional Health Forum West by Independent Councillor Declan Meehan, who asked several questions on measures at the hospital.
The HSE revealed that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, LUH identified that poor ventilation in Room 3 on Medical 5 may have contributed to increased COVID transmission.
“This room was closed to admissions for a number of weeks until remedial works including the installation of new windows to allow for improved ventilation was completed,” a spokesperson said.
The hospital also purchased HEPA filter units, which are used during respiratory viral outbreaks and in the Emergency Department.
The spokesperson said no formal assessments have been carried out into the impact of HAIs (Healthcare-Associated Infections) linked to poor ventilation, patient morbidity, delayed discharges, hospital length of stay and overall patient flow pressures within LUH.
Cllr Meehan said key questions remained unanswered, including whether risk assessments have been carried out and how often indoor air quality is assessed.
“Should be ongoing, not a once-off?” he asked.
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He said the issue was particularly important in patient-dense areas such as the Emergency Department.
“It’s a workplace safety issue. It’s also an infection control issue,” he said.
“It may seem quite obscure, but I think it’s very important to get to grips with this.”
The HSE response stated that LUH was built in line with the relevant standards at the time of design and construction, including ventilation requirements under building regulations and healthcare building standards. The main hospital building was constructed in 1961.
The HSE said LUH has a planned preventative maintenance programme for ventilation equipment and that a phased replacement programme is being implemented.
Dermot Monaghan, Integrated Health Area Manager for Donegal, accepted the concerns and said he would provide a more detailed response.