HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation of the dietary department food preparation area, review of facility policy and staff interview and verification, the facility failed to ensure that safe practices for food handling were maintained. Potentially any patient utilizing the hospital's boxed lunches could be affected. The hospital had a census of 145 patients at the time of survey.

Findings include:

On 06/05/12 between 2:55 P.M. and 3:15 P.M. observation of the dietary department was completed with Staff H. Upon arrival in the dietary department at 2:55 P.M. observation was noted of numerous sandwiches (at least 12) lying on a steel preparation table covered with clear plastic wrap. The sandwiches were noted to have a sliced, white meat product and lettuce on the bread. Additional sandwiches were noted to be individually wrapped in clear plastic wrap in a metal pan on an adjacent steel table. The sandwiches were not surrounded by any means to keep them at less than room temperature.

Staff C and Staff D arrived in the area and proceeded to provide a tour of the kitchen and dietary preparation area. At 3:05 P.M. Staff D was asked why the sandwiches were lying on the table and in the pan and where was the staff person preparing the sandwiches. Staff D stated the staff person left for the day but then clarified the information that staff changes had taken place.

Staff D revealed the sandwiches were turkey, cheese and lettuce sandwiches and it was not known how long the sandwiches had been exposed to the room temperature. Staff E joined the group and noted the person who was preparing the sandwiches was on the hospital floors delivering trays. Staff D was asked to take the temperature of any sandwich in each group of sandwiches. Temperatures were 58 degrees for a sandwich lying on the steel table and 55 degrees for the sandwiches individually wrapped in a pan.

Staff D verified the sandwiches were to be no warmer than 40 degrees in accordance with facility policy. Staff D noted the procedure was that staff should have placed the sandwiches in a cooler before leaving the area. Staff D verified the sandwiches were being prepared for patient box lunches especially for the emergency department and other areas of the hospital.

An unidentified staff person came to the steel table and began to individually wrap the sandwiches lying on the table. Staff D stated the sandwiches should be discarded.

Based on interview and observation, the facility failed to ensure exit directional signs, smoke barriers, manual pull stations at exit doors, sprinkler pendants, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, storage of linen carts, battery operated lights, and evacuation routes met the applicable provisions of the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association. This has the potential to affect all 145 patients in the facility.

Findings include:

See A710.

Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to meet the applicable provisions of the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association. This has the potential to affect all 145 patients in the facility.

Findings include:
Please see the Life Safety Code report for the details: K 22 (lacked exit directional signs), K 25 (penetrations in smoke barriers), K 51 (lacked manual pull station devices at exit access doors), K 56 (electrical closet not equipped with sprinkler), K 62 (sprinkler pendants coated with dust and debris, missing escutcheon rings and covers), K 64 (fire extinguishers not mounted), K 75 (mobile linen cart not stored in hazardous area), and K 130 (smoke detectors located near air flow devices, battery operated lights not tested for 30 seconds monthly and not tested annually, sprinkler system not tested quarterly, and evacuation route not posted properly).