The inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) was carried out as part of checks on health facilities where there is medical exposure to ionising radiation.
This occurs when radiation is used as part of diagnosis such as an X-ray or computed tomography scan, or the use of radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment at a hospital.
The report on Cork University Hospital said that “in the radiology department, medical exposures were predominantly conducted by a practitioner, based on a referral from a practitioner, with some exceptions.”
Greater assurances however, had to be provided by the undertaking to ensure that all medical radiological procedures are only carried out on the basis of referrals from people entitled to do so under regulation.
Following the Cork University Hospital inspection another undertaking was needed to ensure the clear allocation of responsibility and effective communication for radiation protection. It needed to strengthen involvement of medical physics experts in the facility.
A separate inspection of Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin found it needed to strengthen radiation safety governance, documentation and oversight to address the non-compliances observed during the visit.
In Tallaght many documents relating to radiation protection, reviewed by inspectors, were found to be unclear and in some instances contained contradictory and inconsistent information.
Hiqa published 14 inspection reports assessing compliance with medical exposure to ionising radiation regulations in eight public and six private facilities.
Of the facilities inspected, Hiqa found high levels of compliance in Affidea Waterford; Blackrock Health Blackrock Clinic; BreastCheck Group – Eccles Unit; Global Diagnostics Blackrock Hall; Osteoporosis Scanning Centre; University Hospital Galway; UPMC Aut Even Hospital Ltd.; and Vhi Swiftcare Clinic Cork.
Inspectors identified several examples of good practice, showing clear efforts to ensure that patients receive safe and appropriately managed radiation exposures.
Inspectors followed up on findings from previous inspections in six of the 14 medical facilities, said Hiqa.
“In many instances, facilities had taken effective action to improve regulatory compliance. For example, the undertaking at Blackrock Health Blackrock Clinic introduced effective measures to meet regulatory requirements, including referral practices and procedures for confirming pregnancy where relevant.”
The watchdog said that as in previous inspection reports for some medical facilities, inspectors identified incident reporting as an area requiring further attention.
Medical facilities need to ensure that all potential incidents and near misses are identified, recorded, reviewed, analysed for patterns and reported in line with Hiqa guidance.
Where inspectors identified non-compliance, undertakings were required to submit a compliance plan outlining how they will come into compliance with the regulations.
Original source: ie