HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation during tour and staff interview the facility failed to remove expired equipment accessible to staff for use on patients from patient care areas.

Findings included:

Observation during tour on 11/14/2017 at 1600 showed the following equipment was accessible to staff for immediate use on patients in the emergency department: Two Percutaneous Sheath Introducer Kits which expired on 09/30/2017 (1 month and 15 days ago); an Angiography Drape Pack which expired on 10/31/2017 (14 days ago); a Xeroform Occlusive Gauze Strip Overwrap which expired on 05/2017 (5 months and 14 days ago), an Internal Jugular Puncture Kit which expired on 01/2017 (9 months and 14 days ago); and two Blood Culture Collection Tubes which expired on 11/02/2017 (12 days ago).

Interview conducted on 11/14/2017 at 1630 with Care Coordinator (CC) #1 revealed no one person is assigned to inspect the emergency department for expired equipment, rather the task is assigned on occasion to various staff members, normally nursing assistants throughout their shifts. Interview revealed CC #1 was not aware of any policy in reference to removing expired equipment from the emergency department, however expired equipment should not be accessible to staff for use on patients in direct care areas.

NC00131717