Two-thirds of Abu Dhabi hospitals fail inspections

Most hospitals and clinics in Abu Dhabi failed inspections last year, according to Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

Small private clinics often ignore new practices, The National reported.

HAAD inspectors made more than 1,300 visits to health facilities last year. Two-thirds of existing facilities, 315 in total, failed the test, with only 156 passing first time. In one, doctor's desk inspectors found a dirty syringe, which he was planning to reuse days later.

New facilities were better, but fewer than half - 55 out of 126 - passed their initial inspection. Facilities that failed were given 45 days to improve, then re-inspected. The inspections have been stepped up this year, with 1,500 visits so far.

Besides poor hygiene and infection control, there is often no maintenance of medical equipment. Medical records are not kept, clinical practice guidelines are not observed, and facilities are not regularly maintained or kept up to fire and safety standards.

Common problems included lab technicians working on blood or urine samples without protective gloves, equipment being stored in unhygienic conditions or not being properly sterilised, and syringes being disposed of incorrectly, said Marwan Al Marzooqi, HAAD's head of health audits for hospitals and clinics.

Inspectors also found dirty sinks in examination rooms, toxic and chemical cleaning products stored alongside medical equipment and dentists reusing ampules on different patients, he said.

Officials attribute many of the lapses to the widely differing backgrounds of health staff.

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