Legislation to give HIQA more powers need to be fast-tracked by the Government, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has said.
The INMO wants the step taken in the wake of its reports showing risks of harm to patients at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) are not being fully managed.
It says it is clear the conditions nurses are working in are out of their control.
HIQA found UHL has fallen “significantly short” of national targets for Emergency Department waiting times.
The health watchdog found there have been improvements at the hospital over the last 12 months, but that risks of harm to patients at the facility are not being fully managed.
HIQA powers
INMO General-Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said HIQA needs to be able to do more.
"The reviews by HIQA compound what is being reported by our members on a daily basis," she said.
"The powers of HIQA need to go further than inspection and comment.
"Government must now publish and prioritise the passing of the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill which would give HIQA the powers to ensure its recommendations are being enacted by individual hospitals and healthcare settings it inspects."
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said the HIQA reports confirm that conditions healthcare workers are working in are "out of their control".
"Recommendations by HIQA should not just be words on a page, if Government are serious about improving the safety of patients and healthcare workers they must fast-track the passing of the very important Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill."
'Significant risks'
Labour's Health Spokesperson Duncan Smith said warning signs have been "glaringly evident".
"It is unacceptable that patients are still facing significant risks at University Hospital Limerick," he said.
"The warning signs have been glaringly evident, yet this growing emergency has been allowed to fester.
"We cannot continue to ignore the dire situation facing both patients and staff."
'Dire' situation
Deputy Smith said the INMO's Trolley Watch "consistently highlights the alarming overcrowding crisis" at the hospital.
"Despite repeated calls for action, the situation remains dire, with patients enduring prolonged waits for treatment in overcrowded conditions.
"We’re calling for urgent political leadership to tackle the crisis at University Hospital Limerick.
"The safety and health of patients must be prioritised, and immediate steps must be taken to alleviate overcrowding and provide adequate staffing levels," he added.
HIQA said UHL was overcrowded on the day they completed their inspection.
