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Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the hospital did not ensure an acceptable level of safety for equipment, by reusing the same oxygen extension tubing for multiple patients and leaving contaminated suction tubing and canister on the wall.

Findings include:

On 8/8/12, at 4:00 P.M., in the patient therapy room, it was observed that the east wall mounted suction canister /suction tubing and oxygen extension tubing was contaminated. The contamination of suction supplies was manifested by more than two visible dark brown areas (dime size width) in the suction tubing and in the suction canister. The contamination of the oxygen extension tubing was manifested by lack of patient identification on the tubing.

On 8/8/12, at 4:05 P.M., an interview was done with the physical therapy aid while the Director of Quality, the Assistant Chief Financial Officer and Director of Case Management were present in the hospitals ' therapy room.

The physical therapy aid was asked if the suction tubing and canister was being used for a patient at the present time. The physical therapy aid said no. The physical therapy aid was asked, what was the purpose for the used suction equipment remaining on the wall? The physical therapy aid said, " We have it there just in case we need it " . The question was asked to the physical therapy aid if the same oxygen extension tubing was reused on different patients? The answer was " Yes, we wipe it off in-between patients " . The physical therapy aid explained that sanicloth wipes were used to wipe the end of the tubing, between patients. The end of the tubing is the connection between the patients own nasal cannula or oxygen mask and the reused therapy oxygen extension tubing.

On 8/9/12, at 2:00 P.M., in the patient therapy room, it was observed that the reused oxygen extension tubing and the used suction canister and tubing, was removed from the east wall. On the north wall of the therapy room was oxygen extension tubing hanging on the wall mounted oxygen gauge. The oxygen extension tubing was connected to the female patient that clearly had respiratory compromise manifested by audible rails on expiration and inspiration. The patients ' son was in the room.

On 8/9/12, at 2:45 P.M, after respiratory therapy was completed with the patient, and the patient had left the room, the question was asked to the physical therapy aid, " Do you reuse the oxygen extension tubing that is hanging on the (north) wall? " " Yes, that stays there " . The physical therapy aid said that he uses sanicloth wipes between patients and if the patients have C-diff (Clostridium difficile) we use bleach sanicloths, and if we don't know if they have C-diff, we use the bleach cloth.