HospitalInspections.org

Based on job description review, personnel file reviews, and staff interviews, the hospital's nursing staff failed to ensure documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for 3 of 3 Monitor Technicians sampled (#1, #2, and #3), assigned to monitor telemetry patients when on-duty.

The findings include:

Review on June 19, 2014 of the monitor technician job description, updated May 2005 revealed, "Role Summary: Observe telemetry monitors continuously, interprets and documents rhythm tracings and maintains telemetry equipment and supplies. Essential Accountabilities: 1. Observes monitors and documents rhythms and strips Performance Criteria: 1...2. Interprets rhythm accurately..."

1. Personnel file review on June 19, 2014 for Monitor Technician #1 revealed documentation the last telemetry monitoring competencies were conducted July 14, 2009. Further review revealed no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Interview on June 18, 2014 at 1130 with Monitor Technician #1 revealed telemetry monitoring updates were received via e-mail and competency evaluations were performed annually.

Interview on June 19, 2014 at 1000 during personnel file reviews with Human Resource Assistant #1 indicated there was no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for Monitor Technician #1.

Interview on June 19, 2014 at 1620 with the Director of the Center of Nursing Excellence #1 revealed, "annual competency evaluations were probably conducted informally." Further interview revealed there was no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for the Monitor Technicians.

2. Personnel file review on June 19, 2014 for Monitor Technician #2 revealed documentation the last telemetry monitoring competencies were conducted in 2006. Further review revealed no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Interview on June 19, 2014 at ~1530 during personnel file reviews with Human Resource Assistant #1 revealed there was no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for Monitor Technician #2.

Interview on June 19, 2014 at 1620 with the Director of the Center of Nursing Excellence #1 revealed, "annual competency evaluations were probably conducted informally." Further interview revealed there was no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for the Monitor Technicians.

3. Personnel file review on June 19, 2014 for Monitor Technician #3 revealed the monitor technician transitioned into the role October 23, 2011. Review revealed no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Interview on June 19, 2014 at ~1530 during personnel file reviews with Human Resource Assistant #1 indicated there was no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for Monitor Technician #3.

Interview on June 19, 2014 at 1620 with the Director of the Center of Nursing Excellence #1 revealed "annual competency evaluations were probably conducted informally." Further interview revealed there was no available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for the Monitor Technicians.

Subsequently, the hospital staff failed to provide any available documentation of on-going telemetry monitoring competencies for Monitor Technician #1, #2, and #3.

NC00097004