HospitalInspections.org

Based on review of documentation, and interviews with staff # 8 the facility failed to maintain face to face observation, in monitoring of an individual in personal restraint; as patient #1 was allowed to go to the bathroom alone.
Findings were:
Review of policy " Closed Observations for High Risk of Medical Deterioration, " Approved 10/11/07, reviewed by nursing service 6/13. " When a patient exhibits sign/symptoms of high risk for medical deterioration, the staff will notify the RN immediately. If the RN deems the patient to be at high risk for medical deterioration, he /she will notify the physician to immediately assess the patient. " 3. The level of observation requires staff to observe the patient continually for a designated period of time (not to exceed 24 hours) and document the condition at a minimum of every 2 hours.
Review of the medical record revealed that patient # 1 ask to go to the bathroom and he was allowed to go alone; giving him the opportunity to push an object into the right ear.
An in-person interview was conducted with staff # 8 at the facility on 5/20/14 confirming the findings, staff # 8 stated, the patient can go to the bathroom alone doing close observation, because you can see their feet because the bathroom door does not reach the floor.