The appointment of a "hygiene tsar" to enforce standards in hospitals was suggested during a meeting of an Oireachtas committee yesterday.
TDs and Senators on the health committee urged officials from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to find out who was responsible for controlling hygiene in hospitals.
John Moloney TD (FF) said the committee had to know people would be held to account.
He suggested that an overall hygiene tsar may be needed to enforce standards in hospitals.
"We're not convinced we are making any progress until we see that happen," he said.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, of the Health Service Executive, said a hygiene audit was carried out in 54 public hospitals. It showed 9 per cent of hospitals visited received a good rating, 43 per cent fair and 48 per cent poor.
The first National Hygiene Audit Report was published last November and a working group was established to help hospitals implement recommendations.
A number of options were being looked at in terms of training cleaning staff, he said. A draft national visiting policy, which incorporated guidelines for hospital visitors, was at consultation stage, Dr Kelleher added.
Dr Liam Twomey TD (FG) asked if there was a chain of command if there was a complaint or would patients continue to get the run-around.
"It's no good getting bogged down in just talking about it, when we can't find who is responsible," he said.
Dr Kelleher said the people in charge were the CEO or hospital manager, then those in charge of the ward or department.