This report reviews the findings of unannounced hygiene inspections carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority in public acute hospitals between February 2014 and January 2015. These inspections are carried out to check whether or not hospitals are meeting the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated
Infections.

The overall aim of this inspection programme is to improve the quality and safety of health services and to provide assurances to the public that Irish public acute hospitals are maintained and managed in a way that reduces the risk of acquiring a Healthcare Associated Infection.