HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview the facility had relocated a storage room in the Respiratory Therapy Department. This relocation resulted in the storage of combustibles in quantities deemed to be hazardous, in one of one rooms not protected with a fire barrier. The failed practice presented a potential fire hazard which would affect all patients admitted to the facility, staff and visitors on the day of the survey. The findings follow:

A. Observations confirmed by interview on 10/27/10 at 1400 with the Director of Maintenance, found that Storage Room #75, a fire rated room, had been converted to a patient examination room. As a result of this change, the room next door, Room #78, labeled EKG Stress Room was used for storage.
B. Room #78, the EKG Stress room, was storing a quantity of combustibles deemed to be hazardous. During the observation with the Director of Maintenance, the Director named/identified the following materials and equipment as follows: four-wire shelve assemblies approximately 4 feet high by 4 feet long and 18 inches deep with miscellaneous boxes and open containers of respiratory supplies, plastic bags, vents, BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) and mist tests. In the event of a fire, the room was not protected with a fire barrier for containment as required for storage rooms in excess of 100 square feet storing combustible materials.
C. This was confirmed based on observation and interview with the Director of Maintenance on 10/27/10 between 1400 and 1500.

Based on observation and interview the facility had relocated a storage room in the Respiratory Therapy Department. This relocation resulted in the storage of combustibles in quantities deemed to be hazardous, in one of one rooms not protected with a fire barrier. The failed practice presented a potential fire hazard which would affect all patients admitted to the facility, staff and visitors on the day of the survey. The findings follow:

A. Observations confirmed by interview on 10/27/10 at 1400 with the Director of Maintenance, found that Storage Room #75, a fire rated room, had been converted to a patient examination room. As a result of this change, the room next door, Room #78, labeled EKG Stress Room was used for storage.
B. Room #78, the EKG Stress room, was storing a quantity of combustibles deemed to be hazardous. During the observation with the Director of Maintenance, the Director named/identified the following materials and equipment as follows: four-wire shelve assemblies approximately 4 feet high by 4 feet long and 18 inches deep with miscellaneous boxes and open containers of respiratory supplies, plastic bags, vents, BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) and mist tests. In the event of a fire, the room was not protected with a fire barrier for containment as required for storage rooms in excess of 100 square feet storing combustible materials.
C. This was confirmed based on observation and interview with the Director of Maintenance on 10/27/10 between 1400 and 1500.