Covid-19 prevention measures 'better' at Ross-shire care home; Care Inspectorate rates them as 'adequate' at Wyivs House Care Home in Dingwall
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A FOLLOW-up surprise care home inspection has found improvements in its handling of Covid-19 prevention measures.
Wyvis House Care Home in Dingwall was found to provide “adequate” care and support during the pandemic when the Care Inspectorate revisited the site on January 8.
The visit was a follow-up to another surprise inspection in December when the organisation found the same support to be “weak”.
At the time inspectors raised concerns after they found that “not all areas of the home were clean and clutter free”, with a dirty hand washing sink, unclean food servery shelving and food-stained items among areas highlighted as putting people at risk.
“Haphazard approaches” to the access and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) were also flagged up, with worries over the use of hand-operated bin lids raising the risk of cross-contamination of surfaces.
And they also warned that no was system in place to show that baths and showers were being cleaned between uses.
But after recommending a number of measures to improve the service, the follow-up surprise inspection was able to give the home’s Covid-19 prevention measures a score of three on a scale of one-to-six - or “adequate”. It’s December inspection only scored a two.
In their latest report, inspectors revealed that the recent action points had been met, adding: “Appropriate action had been taken to ensure people were living in a safe and well looked after environment.
“The home was clean and tidy. This included sluice areas. The enhanced cleaning schedules had been reviewed to incorporate frequently touched surfaces as well as other areas that required regular cleaning. This requirement had been met."
“There were systems in place that demonstrated that baths, showers and reusable equipment were being cleaned between use. This protected people from possible cross contamination. This requirement has been met."
The inspectors added: "The provider had purchased storage facilities for PPE and more clinical waste bins for its disposal. These were situated at key points in the home which meant that they were more accessible for staff.
"Staff told us they were clearer about how to access and dispose of used PPE. This ensures that service users are kept safe from the risk of infection. This requirement has been met."
The inspection also found that some furniture had been re-arranged in communal areas to further help residents maintain two metre social distancing.
Elsewhere, the home has until March to implement other longer-term recommendations made in the two reports - including development of a service improvement plan to show how and when they will address examples of old and worn furniture, fittings and fixtures.
Related news: Care Inspectorate asks for changes at Ross-shire care home
