HospitalInspections.org

The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) reported a census of one skilled swing bed patient and seventeen Intermediate swing bed patients. Based on observations, staff interview, and policy review, the CAH failed to ensure all supplies are maintained to safely meet patients' needs for both day-to-day operations and during emergencies in one of two Emergency Crash Carts and one of one outpatient room.

This deficient practice or the failure of the facility to dispose of expired supplies
placed all patients at risk for receiving ineffective supplies.


Findings include:

- Emergency Crash Cart observed on 6/20/2016 at 3:45 PM revealed the following outdated supplies:

1) Seven Povidone -Iodine swab stick (to kill bacteria on skin) packets with expiration dates of 9/2014 and 4/2015.

2) Nine Lubricating jelly (to moisten skin) packets with expiration dates of 5/2016.

3) Three Tongue depressors with expiration date of 5/2012.

4) One Nasopharyngeal (to maintain airway) size #30 French with expiration date of 5/2009.

5) One Nasopharyngeal size #28 French with expiration date of 6/2005.

6) One Nasopharyngeal size # 32 French with expiration date of 6/2005.

7) One Suction catheter size # 14 French with expiration date of 7/2014.


- Outpatient Room observed on 6/20/2016 at 1:15 PM revealed the following outdated supplies:

1) One Scalpel (a small sharp bladed instrument) #11 packet with expiration date of
4/2015.

2) Twenty-seven 30 ml Sterile syringes with expiration date of 1/2014.

3) One Poly-lined towel drape 18" x 26" with expiration date of 1/2010.

4) Three Lubricating jelly packets with expiration date of 7/2013.


Nurse Manager Staff A interviewed on 6/20/2016 at 1:15 PM and 3:45 PM acknowledged the outdated supplies should have been disposed. Staff A
stated they had an employee assigned to help with getting rid of the outdated supplies and to take inventory of all the supplies in the Outpatient
room and Emergency room.


- The Policy title "Commercial Products" reviewed on 6/22/2016 directed, "...All items
must be destroyed after reaching their expiration date marked on the manufacturer's packaging..."