Respiratory physiologists ‘need more hygiene equipment and facilities’ in Irish hospitals to do their jobs properly

Ann Marie O’Connell

(President, Irish Institute of Clinical)

Having worked in Irish healthcare for 30 years, the one small change I would like to see is adequate hygiene equipment and facilities in hospitals for respiratory physiologists to do their jobs properly.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought a sharp focus to the importance of air quality indoors and maintaining good air quality in hospitals is particularly important to reduce infection spread.

Right now, there is no consistency across the hospital system when it comes to providing air sterilisers or HEPA-filtration. Air sterilisers disinfect the air. HEPA filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, filter the air and trap harmful particles.

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A recent analysis of bugs located on divider screens (plastic protective screens on casters that stand between the patient and the physiologist administering the test) in a hospital setting found various infections, including Covid-19 and tuberculosis. It was reassuring that the screens caught these pathogens, but also slightly worrying that there is still so much infection out there.

The patients seen by respiratory physiologists have a problem with their lungs and require various breathing diagnostic tools. They need to remove their masks and have to inhale and exhale as part of their tests.

For diseases that are airborne, it is critical that appropriate hygiene precautions are in place for everyone’s safety. However, there aren’t enough negative pressure laboratories for respiratory physiologists to provide safe testing of patients who have lung diseases. Negative pressure laboratories keep the air pressure inside a room lower than outside, thereby ensuring that any contamination doesn’t stay in the air or settle on surfaces.

The reality is that all hospitals have some of these tools, but many do not have the full range and the amount of equipment required for optimum safety. Indeed, some hospitals have only temporary facilities, for example, mobile air sterilisers which, by definition, move around depending on which area has the greatest need, thereby leaving other areas at risk.

The current situation of increased infection measures (due to the continued impact of Covid-19) and patchy availability of hygiene equipment means that physiologists are seeing fewer patients than they used to. This is leading to longer waiting lists and increased waiting times.

If we were to have more hygiene equipment and facilities, physiologists would be able to see more patients each day. Not the same numbers as pre-Covid, but definitely more.

• As our health system begins to return to normal activity levels following the Covid-19 pandemic, we would like to hear about one change you would like to see. It can be something simple that annoys you, day in, day out, that is easily fixed, or it can be a small change in practice or attitude that would make life easier for everyone. Email health@irishtimes.com with your suggestion or fill in the form below.