HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview the Hospital failed to consistently adhere to policies governing surgical care for standards for storage of laryngoscope blades and administration of intravenous fluids.

1.) The Surveyor toured the Operating Room (OR) with the Director of Surgical Services at 8:30 A.M. on 8/17/2020. The Surveyor opened the Anesthesia Cart in OR #4 and observed three laryngoscope blades (an instrument used to examine the larynx) in the top drawer. The Director said the blades were sterilized and stored in the peel packs however two of the three peel packs were opened and the sterility of the instrument could not be assured.


2.) The Surveyor toured the pre-surgical holding area of the peri-operative suite at 9:10 A.M. on 8/17/2020. The Surveyor interviewed Registered Nurse #2 (RN) after observing an intravenous solution spiked (prepared) and hanging in a vacant pre-operative holding bay. RN #2 said that the intravenous solution had been prepared by one of the unit's nurses however the solution would not necessarily be administered by the same RN.

According to the State Board of Registration of Nursing Advisory Ruling #9204, date of review 5/13/2015, the nurse is not to administer an infusion solution that the nurse has not procured, removed from the sealed container, and prepared.