Patient Safety Goals
We are committed to providing safe care for patients across all stages of care:
- Ensuring each patient is correctly identified before tests are undertaken and treatment or medication is administered
- Enhancing the quality and integrity of communications for improved understanding
- Governing the safe prescription and administration of medications
- Ensuring the correct patient receives the correct surgery at the correct site
- Reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infection
- Reducing the risk of slips and falls
Compliance with National Standards
Patient safety remains the hospital’s foremost priority. Our Quality Department is responsible for initiating, implementing, reviewing, and enhancing quality initiatives to ensure that patients receive safe healthcare and a positive patient experience. Furthermore, the Quality Department consistently monitors the hospital’s compliance with the following National Standards:
- National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare
- National Standards for the Prevention & Control of Healthcare-Associated Infections
- Guide to Nutrition and Hydration Monitoring in Acute Hospitals
- Guide to Medication Safety Monitoring in Acute Hospitals.
Incident Reporting
The Hospital has a strong culture of incident reporting and uses learnings for continuous improvement purposes.
Medication Safety
Red aprons worn by nurses administering medication indicate they must not be disturbed during drug rounds, reducing the risk of distraction and error, and contributing to improved patient safety.
Nutrition & Hydration
The Catering Department adheres to the highest safety standards in food preparation.
Hygiene
The Hospital employs a clean-pass methodology, systematically cleaning the Hospital to prevent and control infection.
Our service centres around you and is designed to support your medical, emotional and practical needs.
Positive Patient Interaction
When you commit your care to us, it is important that you have confidence in our service. We know that every communication and interaction builds trust, and open dialogue will influence your hospital experience and outcome. For this reason, we encourage conversation and welcome your questions. And we will try to explain complex medical terms in a way you can understand. But we don’t always get it right. If you are having difficulty understanding your medical condition, proposed procedure, preoperative or postoperative instructions, please feel free to contact the Preoperative Assessment Clinic on +353 1 814 0407 for advice.
Shared Decision Making
We invite you to take an active role in your treatment decisions, as we believe that shared decision-making enhances your recovery outcomes.
Supporting your Recovery
After surgery, it may take time for you to regain your full ability and independence. We will create programmes to support your recovery and help you achieve your personal recovery goals.
In order to treat your medical condition, you may require the services of multiple medical disciplines, including orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and others. At the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, we work in multidisciplinary teams to address patients’ individual needs. This collaboration ensures that you receive the treatment and care you need to make a full and fast recovery.
The hospital uses digital devices to keep patient records. Going digital helps protect patient privacy because there are no physical files at the bedside. Only authorised medical staff can access or modify the files, and robust security systems keep your data safe.
Every two years, the Health Information and Quality Authority conducts an independent survey in which inpatients nationwide provide honest feedback about their hospital experience. Each year, the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh consistently exceeds the national average and receives positive patient feedback. The next survey is scheduled for May 2026.
You can access the 2024 National Inpatient Experience Survey report here.
National Inpatient Experience Survey QIP
Following the HIQA Annual National Patient Experience Survey, the Hospital reviews metrics and patient comments, and develops Quality Improvement Plans to address quality standards and improve the patient experience.
Click here to view the QIP Update Nov 2024 – Update published January 2026
HIQA Inspection QIP
HIQA regularly conducts both scheduled and unannounced inspections of hospitals and healthcare facilities to ensure compliance with national safety, quality, and effectiveness standards. These inspections verify provider compliance with regulations, protect residents’ rights such as privacy and dignity, and promote high-quality care. The findings are published in public reports.
Click here to view the most recent HIQA Inspection report relating to the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh.
Click here to view the QIP formulated in response to issues raised by this inspection.
