HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations, documents reviewed and interviews it was determined the facility staff failed to ensure they implemented the infection control plan by following through with making improvements in Labor and Delivery (L&D) and Triage Rooms in order to maintain a sanitary environment, for 5 of 5 L&D rooms and 2 of 2 Triage rooms.

Please see Tag 0749 for detailed information.

Based on observations, documents reviewed and interviews it was determined the facility staff failed to ensure they implemented the infection control plan by following through with making improvements in the Labor and Delivery (L&D) and Triage Rooms in order to maintain a sanitary environment, for 5 of 5 L&D rooms and 2 of 2 Triage rooms.

The findings include:

On 4/3/17 at approximately 10:50 A.M. the L&D and Triage areas were toured. All of the rooms have wooden furniture. The beds, tables and monitor tables all have the finish worn off around the edges, some with gouges of wood missing and splintering. The recliners have tears and the cabinetry under the window seating area has the finish missing in several areas leaving exposed wood underneath. The surveyor visited 3 of the 5 L&D rooms (two rooms were occupied by patients) and the Triage rooms. Staff Member #7 stated, "All the rooms have the same problems with the furniture and with us not being unable to clean the wood. We have been asking for a couple of years to get the things replaced."

The exposed unfinished wood is a porous surface and cannot be cleaned and disinfected between patient use. The gouges and splintering poses a potential for injury to patients, visitors and staff.

Staff Member #4 stated, "The physicians have been asking for repairs and renovations of the area for at least the past 15 to 18 months."

The L&D department minutes for November 2015 to March 2017 were reviewed. There was no mention of issues related to being unable to clean the furniture between patients.

The Renovations and Construction Minutes from November 2014 to March 2017 were reviewed which did contain information related to the need to need to repair and renovate the L&D area but it was put on hold. Staff Member #2 stated, "It is in Strata (where information is placed related to capital needs) but Strata is down due to an upgrade and we can't access it. All the information from the Renovations and Construction meetings involves someone from administration. The information in Strata goes up the corporate chain."

The L&D and Triage unit is U shaped and has a hand rail all around the unit. The handrails is wood and has jagged splintery areas. Staff Member #7 was asked if the patients who are in labor ever walk in the hallway and hold the handrails. Staff Member #7 stated, "Yes."