HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, it was determined unattended soiled linen receptacles greater than 32 gallon capacity were located outside fire rated hazardous areas in Nursing Units, the Radiology Department, and the Surgery Department. The failure to store the soiled linen receptacles in a fire-rated room had the potential to affect the health and safety of all patients, staff, and visitors due to the potential of the rapid spread of fire and smoke from the soiled linens in the receptacles in the event of a fire emergency. The facility had a census of 77 patients on 12/06/11. The findings follow:

A. A tour of the Surgery Department on 12/06/11 at 1300 with the Director of Plant Operations revealed one blue soiled linen bag located in Operating Room 5 and one blue soiled linen bag in Operating Room 6. The rooms were unoccupied at the time of the tour and the soiled linen receptacles were unattended. The operating rooms were not separated from other parts of the building by fire rated construction or provided with fire rated doors.
B. On a tour of the facility on 12/08/11 at 0950 with the Director of Plant Operations unattended soiled linen receptacles were observed in the corridor at Patient Rooms 319, 320, 322, 313, 311, 309, 209, 210, 212, 134, and 137.
C. In an interview conducted on 12/8/11 at 1000, the Director of Plant Operations stated the soiled linen receptacles were 44 gallon capacity.

Based on observation and interview, it was determined unattended soiled linen receptacles greater than 32 gallon capacity were located outside fire rated hazardous areas in Nursing Units, the Radiology Department, and the Surgery Department. The failure to store the soiled linen receptacles in a fire-rated room had the potential to affect the health and safety of all patients, staff, and visitors due to the potential of the rapid spread of fire and smoke from the soiled linens in the receptacles in the event of a fire emergency. The facility had a census of 77 patients on 12/06/11. The findings follow:

A. A tour of the Surgery Department on 12/06/11 at 1300 with the Director of Plant Operations revealed one blue soiled linen bag located in Operating Room 5 and one blue soiled linen bag in Operating Room 6. The rooms were unoccupied at the time of the tour and the soiled linen receptacles were unattended. The operating rooms were not separated from other parts of the building by fire rated construction or provided with fire rated doors.
B. On a tour of the facility on 12/08/11 at 0950 with the Director of Plant Operations unattended soiled linen receptacles were observed in the corridor at Patient Rooms 319, 320, 322, 313, 311, 309, 209, 210, 212, 134, and 137.
C. In an interview conducted on 12/8/11 at 1000, the Director of Plant Operations stated the soiled linen receptacles were 44 gallon capacity.