HospitalInspections.org

21204


Based on observations and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain the physical plant in a manner to provide a safe and sanitary environment for the treatment of patients.

Findings include:

The tour of the Forensic Psychiatric units on 19W and other units during the period of 2/7/2012 and 3/27/2013 revealed the following physical hazards:

19th North- Forensic Psychiatric Unit:

During the tour of the dining room, the surveyors observed that a metal barricade (approximately 8'x8') was across the window with square openings of 2"x2". This barricade can potentially be used to commit suicide by creating a ligature through the open slots. The door of this dining room also had pivot hinges that could be used to create ligatures.

The following were identified with having the potential for looping hazards:
· The seclusion room had a bed with restraining hooks.

· The telephone box of this unit was installed on the wall 5 feet above the floor and had a pad lock.

· The electrical wiring of the television set in that unit was observed to be exposed.

· The TV console in the dining room had two pad locks.

· The Plexiglass around the TV set was found to have multiple openings.

· The two doors of the exterior gates of the unit had bars.

· The walls of the day/activity room had a mesh with wide openings (each opening was approximately 2 inches in diameter).





19th West Psychiatric Unit:

· The gate of the stairwell was found to be made of metal bars.

· The shower room in this unit and other units was not the safety type as required for Psychiatric units

· The water fountain of 19 West by room 19W50.

· The wireless expansion box installed near the ceiling on the corridor near room 19W45 had a gap between this box and the ceiling.

· The exit signs of this unit and other psychiatric units were installed near the ceiling with gaps in between them and the ceiling.

· The walls of the dining room of south west unit had bars.



In the 19 South West unit dining room the surface of the ice machine was broken and had adhesive tape to hold it together.


18th South Psychiatric Unit:
The following were identified with having the potential for looping hazards:

· The openings of the mesh around the smoke detector of room 18S18.

· The cabinets of the dining room kitchenette was found to have handles and pad locks.

· The bar gate of the dining room.

· The cabinet above the hand washing sink of room 18S25 had metal handles that was mounted 5 feet above the floor.


18 West Psychiatric:

· The cabinet above the hand wash sink of room 18W43 had metal handles that was mounted 5 feet above the floor.

· The grids around the air supply and exhaust of room 18W45.

· The exit sign next to W18 stair door was installed with 2 inches of gap between this sign and the ceiling tile.

· The door metal bar at the top of the door.


The locked plate of the smoke door in front of 18W63 was found to be in disrepairsharp and presented a safety hazard.


18 North Psychiatric Unit:
The following were identified with having the potential for looping hazards:

· The push bar and other Rixon of the fire doors on the corridor next to N18 stair.

· The exit sign above the smoke doors has a gap between it and the ceiling tiles of about 2 inches.

· The mesh covering the window of the seclusion room had big circular openings.

· The mesh covering the return vent had openings.

Other Safety Issues

The glass mirror of the day room 18N42 and presented a safety hazard.

No illuminated exit signs were provided on both ends of the corridor of 15th floor East by room 15E31.

The isolation room 1 W30 was found not to have a negative air flow as required for this type of room.

The part of the corridor of 16 West near to room 16W49 was observed to be blocked by many pieces of furniture.

The nursing call bell of room 16E5 was not working properly.

The patient bathrooms 16E8 and 16E7 were used as housekeeping storage areas.


Note:

All of the above issues are repeat findings indentified during the survey of August 2012.
Hurricane Sandy delayed the implementation of the plan of correction.