While some wards achieved excellent scores others did not fare so well in the results published this week by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) - the independent health and social care regulator.

Between January and March this year RQIA inspected 19 wards and clinical areas in five hospitals - using the Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA) audit tool. The inspections focused on indicators of good practice, including hand hygiene, the environment, clinical practice and patient equipment.

The Medical Assessment Unit and Elective Surgery wards at Lagan Valley achieved "excellent scores" for clinical practices and also scored highly for hand hygiene, and for safe handling and disposal of needles and sharps.

The report also praised the quiet and calm atmosphere despite a busy night of admissions at the time of the inspection, and said the majority of Accident and Emergency staff, despite working under pressure, maintained good infection control practices.

However there were issues raised in the report which did not fully comply with standards.

The Elective Surgery Ward was clean and tidy and clutter free but was "let down in general by the fabric of the walls and damage to the finished plaster when applying fixtures such as wall lamps".

In the 'Hospital Environment and Facilities' category the Accident and Emergency Department and the Medical Assessment Unit received minimal compliance scores. Optimal cleaning of these facilities was "restricted by the untidy and cluttered environment". The report stated that the entrances to both these areas "require attention for example, in the Accident and Emergency reception several torn chairs were observed and in the Medical Assessment Unit the reception was cluttered with a bed, laundry cage and a wheelchair".

The report addressed the issue of hand hygiene and highlighted the Medical Assessment Unit hand washing sinks in ward bays were "blocked by equipment which restricted access". It was noted that "a number of medical staff at times did not comply with the Regional Dress Code and were observed wearing wrist watches and not tying their hair back".

The Accident and Emergency department achieved minimal compliance in hand hygiene.

Glenn Houston, RQIA Chief Executive, said the standard of performance "varied across the 19 areas inspected, and there was also a marked variation in performance between wards within each of the five hospitals. In particular, concerns were noted in some Accident and Emergency and Outpatient departments where there was significant room for improvement".

He said: "Clean wards and robust infection control practices are crucial in the fight against health care associated infections.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust's Director of Hospital Services Seamus McGoran said: "The Trust greatly values the feedback it gets from the RQIA inspections.

"The Lagan Valley inspection earlier this year provided us with an external insight into our standards of cleanliness and this has helped us to focus our action on a number of key areas in order to improve the patient environment. Hygiene and infection prevention and control remain a top priority for the Trust and we will continue our drive for improvement on a daily basis."

A spokesperson for the Trust said that it has moved quickly to address the issues raised in the report. "To date, 88% of these have been addressed including the replacement of bathroom fittings, seats and other furniture.

"In addition, the Trust has increased staff training levels and ensured heightened awareness of cleanliness throughout the hospital. A programme of works has also just commenced in the hospital to address minor repairs and repainting so that hygiene maintenance can be more easily delivered."