HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations, review of policies and procedures, and interview with staff revealed the Acute Care Hospital staff failed to ensure all syringes and needles were secured in 2 of 2 open medication rooms on the hospital's Medical/Surgical Unit. The hospital administrative staff identified a patient census of 25 on the Medical/Surgical Unit at the time of the investigation.

Failure to secure all syringes and needles in 2 of 2 open medication rooms could potentially result in patients and visitors having access to syringes and needles.

Findings include:

1. Observation on 5/18/15 at 1:45 PM, with Staff A, Director of Medical/Surgical Unit revealed 2 of 2 medication rooms. Both medication rooms had open doors. The counters in both medication rooms stored approximately 30 insulin syringes with needles, and 30 leur lock needles. The medication rooms were located approximately 8 feet away from a visitor and patient seating area.

2. Review of hospital policies and procedures revealed the hospital lacked a policy or procedure for the security of syringes and syringes stored on the counters in the medication rooms on the Medical/Surgical Unit.

3. During an interview at 2:05 PM on 5/18/15, Staff E, Registered Nurse (RN), reported the doors of the medication rooms were always left open.

During an interview at 7:58 AM on 5/19/15, Staff B, RN, reported the doors of the medication rooms were always left open.

During an interview at 9:00 AM on 5/19/15, Staff C, RN, reported the doors of the medication rooms were always left open.

During an interview at 9:30 AM on 5/19/15, Staff D, RN, reported the doors of the medication rooms were always left open.