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BRAXTON COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC
No Description Available
Tag No.: C0152
Based on document review and staff interviews it was determined the facility failed to have a Registered Nurse (RN) present in the emergency department (ED) in accordance with 64-12-12.9.c. which stipulates that a RN must be immediately available for bedside care of any patient when needed each shift, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. This failure has the potential to delay deliverance of life saving care to patients seeking emergency care.
Findings include:
1. A review of the ED staffing schedule from 9/9/18-12/29/18 revealed that from 1:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. only one (1) RN was scheduled to triage and staff the ED.
2. A review of the staffing schedule for the Medical Surgical (M/S) unit from 9/9/18-12/29/18 revealed from 1:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. only one (1) RN and one (1) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) was scheduled to staff the unit.
3. A discussion with the ED Nurse Manager occurred on 1/7/19 at approximately 11:30 a.m. and revealed the ED is staffed with one (1) Registered Nurse (RN) from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., one (1) RN from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., one (1) RN from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and one (1) RN from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This leaves only one (1) RN in the ED after 1:30 a.m. until the 7:00 a.m. RN arrives. When asked about triaging patients and if an emergency or complication occurs, the ED Nurse Manager verbalized that the ED RN on shift after 1:30 a.m. will triage patients and provide nursing care. In the event of an emergency the RN on the M/S unit will be pulled to the ED to assist the ED RN. When asked about staffing on the M/S unit, the ED Nurse Manager explained the M/S unit will either be staffed with two (2) RN's or one (1) RN and one (1) LPN at night. If the RN is pulled to the ED to assist the ED RN, there will either be one (1) RN or one (1) LPN left on the M/S unit.
4. In an interview with the Director of Nursing (DON) on 1/7/19 at approximately 12:40 p.m., she concurred that only one (1) RN was scheduled to staff the ED from 1:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. She further concurred that if the ED RN needed help the RN from the M/S unit would be pulled to help in the ED leaving only an LPN to cover the M/S unit. She stated the M/S RN also acted as the house supervisor during these hours.