HeraldLIVE reports that screening protocols are falling through the cracks at Livingstone Hospital, common areas are not being regularly sanitised and staff are not wearing their personal protective equipment (PPE) properly, increasing the risk of Covid-19 spreading through the Port Elizabeth hospital and into the community.
These warnings, contained in an internal audit report commissioned by the Eastern Cape health department, coincide with a sudden increase in the number of coronavirus infections and deaths in Nelson Mandela Bay. The audit report recommends swift and decisive action to fix the problems, but though it was handed over to Livingstone Hospital management a week ago, nothing has changed, according to an informed source. The hospital management has to take immediate steps to rectify the situation, the report indicates. “Management should put measures in place to ensure staff adhere to all protocols relating to PPE and sanitising, and disciplinary action should be taken against staff who do not comply,” it recommends. The report notes further that Livingstone Hospital does not have an appointed compliance officer. Eastern Cape health superintendent-general Dr Thobile Mbengashe said he was not aware of the report.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Guy Rogers and Nomazima Nkosi at TimesLIVE
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