HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, testing, interview, and policy review the provider failed to maintain one of two blanket warmers at a safe temperature in accordance with their policy. Findings include:

1. Observation on 8/6/24 at 9:00 a.m. in emergency room one the blanket warmer read 160 degrees Fahrenheit (F) on the digital display.

Observation and testing on 8/6/24 at 1:57 p.m. of the temperatures in the blanket warmer in emergency room one revealed:
*The digital display showed 160 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
*Testing of the temperature by placing a thermometer between two blankets revealed the temperature was 150 degrees F.

A request for a policy regarding the blanket warmer temperature was made to chief executive officer (CEO) A.

On 8/6/24 at 3:00 p.m. CEO A provided the "Warming Blanket" policy. She stated there was not a policy that directly addressed the blanket warmers, and this policy was the only one they had that referenced the temperature of blankets.

Review of the provider's warming blanket policy dated October 30, 2019 revealed:
*The purpose of the policy was to treat a patient with hypothermia.
*The procedure identified the steps how to apply a Bair Hugger warming blanket and a cotton blanket single thickness over the top of the Bair Hugger blanket and to track temperatures to treat hypothermia.
*Step seven of the procedure indicated staff "May initiate use of warming lights, warmed IV (intravenous) fluids [kept in warmer at 103 degrees Fahrenheit], warmed blankets [kept in warmer at 130 degrees Fahrenheit], or increase room temp as appropriate and as ordered."

Observation and interview on 8/6/24 at 3:44 p.m. with CEO A and DON B in emergency rooms one and two revealed:
*The blanket warming cabinet in emergency room two was set at 130 degrees F. It also had a fluid warmer that was set at 103 degrees F.
*DON B stated they tracked the temperatures of the fluids but not the blankets.
*They did not know why the blanket warmer in emergency room one was set at 160 degrees F.
*They agreed the blanket warmer in emergency room one should not have exceeded 130 degrees F.
*DON B then set the temperature of the blanket warmer to 130 degrees F.

Observation at 8:10 a.m. on 8/7/24 revealed the digital display for the blanket warmer in emergency room one read 130 degrees F.