HospitalInspections.org

The inspector observed, while accompanied by the Facilities Technician during the hours of the inspection from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on 06/17/2015 that gas storage tanks in the medical gas room were not individually secured to the wall.

The storage of medical gases shall " be provided with racks, chains, or other fastenings to individually secure all cylinders, whether connected, unconnected, full, or empty, from falling " - NFPA 99, 2002: 5.1.3.3.2(7).
" Cylinders in service and in storage shall be individually secured and located to prevent falling or being knocked over. " - NFPA 99, 1999: 4-3.1.1.1.

Based on observation, the facility failed to provide a history of records for receptacle testing per NFPA 99: 3-3.3.3. in patient care areas.


Receptacle Testing in Patient Care Areas - NFFA 99, 1999, 3-3.3.3

(a) The physical integrity of each receptacle shall be confirmed by visual inspection.
(b) The continuity of the grounding circuit in each electrical receptacle shall be verified.
(c) Correct polarity of the hot and neutral connections in each electrical receptacle shall be confirmed.
(d) The retention force of the grounding blade of each electrical receptacle (except locking-type receptacles) shall be not less than 115 g (4 oz).
___________________________________________________________________


Based on observation, the facility failed to provide a history of records for biomedical electrical equipment testing per NFPA 99, 1999, 7-6.2.1.2.


Testing Intervals of Biomedical Equipment

All appliances used in patient care areas shall be tested in accordance with 7-5.1.3 or 7-5.2.2.1 before being put into service for the first time and after repair or modification. Patient-care-related electrical appliances shall be retested at intervals determined by their normal location or area of normal use, but not exceeding the intervals listed below:

General care areas - 12 months
Critical care areas - 6 months
Wet locations - 6 months

NFPA 99, 1999, 7-6.2.1.2.

___________________________________________________________________

Based on observation, the facility failed to provide a history of records for Fire Sprinkler System Inspections.

" A sprinkler system installed in accordance with this standard shall be properly inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, to provide at least the same level of performance and protection as designed. " - NFPA 13, 1999, 12-1.

" Sprinklers shall be inspected from the floor level annually. Sprinklers shall be free of corrosion, foreign materials, paint, and physical damage and shall be installed in the proper orientation (e.g., upright, pendant, or sidewall). Any sprinkler shall be replaced that is painted, corroded, damaged, loaded, or in the improper orientation. " - NFPA 25, 1999, 2-2.1.1.

Based on observation, the facility failed to provide properly labeled emergency system receptacles in all patient critical care areas.

Cover Plates: In critical care areas, emergency system receptacles must be labeled to indicate the panel board and circuit number supplying them in accordance with NFPA 70, 1999: 517-19(a). The identification label shall be permanent either by engraving the cover plates or permanent adhesive engraved laminated labels.

The inspector observed, while accompanied by the Facilities Technician during the hours of the inspection from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on 06/17/2015 that gas storage tanks in the medical gas room were not individually secured to the wall.

The storage of medical gases shall " be provided with racks, chains, or other fastenings to individually secure all cylinders, whether connected, unconnected, full, or empty, from falling " - NFPA 99, 2002: 5.1.3.3.2(7).
" Cylinders in service and in storage shall be individually secured and located to prevent falling or being knocked over. " - NFPA 99, 1999: 4-3.1.1.1.

Based on observation, the facility failed to provide a history of records for receptacle testing per NFPA 99: 3-3.3.3. in patient care areas.


Receptacle Testing in Patient Care Areas - NFFA 99, 1999, 3-3.3.3

(a) The physical integrity of each receptacle shall be confirmed by visual inspection.
(b) The continuity of the grounding circuit in each electrical receptacle shall be verified.
(c) Correct polarity of the hot and neutral connections in each electrical receptacle shall be confirmed.
(d) The retention force of the grounding blade of each electrical receptacle (except locking-type receptacles) shall be not less than 115 g (4 oz).
___________________________________________________________________


Based on observation, the facility failed to provide a history of records for biomedical electrical equipment testing per NFPA 99, 1999, 7-6.2.1.2.


Testing Intervals of Biomedical Equipment

All appliances used in patient care areas shall be tested in accordance with 7-5.1.3 or 7-5.2.2.1 before being put into service for the first time and after repair or modification. Patient-care-related electrical appliances shall be retested at intervals determined by their normal location or area of normal use, but not exceeding the intervals listed below:

General care areas - 12 months
Critical care areas - 6 months
Wet locations - 6 months

NFPA 99, 1999, 7-6.2.1.2.

___________________________________________________________________

Based on observation, the facility failed to provide a history of records for Fire Sprinkler System Inspections.

" A sprinkler system installed in accordance with this standard shall be properly inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, to provide at least the same level of performance and protection as designed. " - NFPA 13, 1999, 12-1.

" Sprinklers shall be inspected from the floor level annually. Sprinklers shall be free of corrosion, foreign materials, paint, and physical damage and shall be installed in the proper orientation (e.g., upright, pendant, or sidewall). Any sprinkler shall be replaced that is painted, corroded, damaged, loaded, or in the improper orientation. " - NFPA 25, 1999, 2-2.1.1.

Based on observation, the facility failed to provide properly labeled emergency system receptacles in all patient critical care areas.

Cover Plates: In critical care areas, emergency system receptacles must be labeled to indicate the panel board and circuit number supplying them in accordance with NFPA 70, 1999: 517-19(a). The identification label shall be permanent either by engraving the cover plates or permanent adhesive engraved laminated labels.