HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations and interviews, the hospital failed to ensure the Emergency Department (ED) was clean, sanitary, and free of trash on the floor of the ED.

The findings are:

On 3/28/23 09:30 AM, observations during a tour of the Emergency Department (ED) revealed plastic wrappers, dried alcohol pads outside the wrapper in the ED hallway floors and in the ED examination rooms. Forty-eight alcohol pads were on the floor in the area labeled "SuperTrack". Staff were observed kicking the alcohol pad(s) back into a corner beside an occupied patient bed.

On 3/28/2023 at 10:45 AM, observations in Examination Room 20 revealed a patient on a gurney with no side rails up. The floor had a black material on it. Two piles of soaking wet towels were observed on the floor on either side of the patient's gurney. Outside Examination Room 20, in the hallway floor, observations revealed a 3cc(cubic centimeter) syringe without a needle and approximately 0.5cc of a clear fluid. The syringe was still on the floor approximately 20 minutes later.

In an interview, the Director of Environmental Services stated that he has significantly more challenges since COVID hit with staffing down approximately 30% (percent) with low response to hiring fairs. The Director of Environmental Services stated the ED is a problem in that staff throw items on the floor versus putting soiled items in the trash cans, and he/she staffs the ED with 2 individuals at all times to keep the ED as clean as possible. The Director of Environmental Services reported the black substance on the floor is from the mobile x-ray machine that just tears up those floors making the floors look bad."