HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to have Telemetry Equipment that was in safe operating condition, tested and inspected at least annually by qualified personnel, either in house staff or by Contracted Services.

Findings:

Observation on 08/01/2012 at 10:30 AM on the Medical Surgical Floor revealed a Hewlett Packard (HP) Telemetry monitor that had a expired Bio-Med inspection sticker that it's last inspection for preventative maintenance was done on 05/2011.
Also the 3 HP transmitter's used to place on patients to transmit cardiac monitoring to the Telemetry monitored revealed that they had a expired Bio-Med inspection stickers that their last inspection for preventative maintenance was done on 05/2011.

Interview on 08/01/2012 at 11:00 AM with the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) on the Medical Surgical Floor revealed that the facility did not have any patients at this time that required the use of these Telemetry transmitters, and confirmed that the Bio-Med inspection stickers that their last inspection for preventative maintenance was done on 05/2011, and was expired. She also agreed that there was not any assurance that the Telemetry monitor or the transmitters were functional and would give accurate readings if they were put in use. Interview with the LPN revealed that the telemetry equipment is routinely being used.

Interview with the Administrator on 08/01/2012 at 9:45 AM revealed that he will have Director of Patient Services have the company come in tomorrow.

The facility did not produce any documentation that arrangements have been made to see that the Bio-Medical inspections have been contracted out or a schedule has been developed.