HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and staff interview, the hospital failed to post signs in the Walk in Care Center (WICC) notifying patients, or when appropriate, the patient's representative of the patient's rights. Findings include:

Based on observations made during a tour of the Walk in Care Center with the nurse manager of the Center on the morning of 12/13/10 and confirmed by the nurse manager on the morning of 12/14/10, patient rights signs were not posted in any location throughout the designated outpatient Walk in Care Center as required.

Based on interview and record review, after identifying an adverse patient event, the hospital failed to fully implement in a timely manner preventative corrective actions to include feedback and learning throughout specific areas of the hospital and the hospital's outpatient locations. Findings include:

On 9/27/10 the hospital received a complaint from a patient who expressed concern and anger regarding an encounter they experienced with a nurse who performed an exam that was identified by the facility's nursing management as inappropriate for that particular clinical setting. The patient also complained the nurse was judgmental; indicating that the patient's lifestyle and behaviors could put the patient's health at risk.

The hospital identified the adverse patient event and developed an action plan to ensure this specific employee would consistently operate within his/her defined nursing role in his/her assigned work environment. Despite the significance of the event and the impact to the patient, performance improvement activities have not been implemented in a timely manner. A new policy was developed that requires a chaperone be present during a sensitive assessments and/or treatments. Administrative staff confirmed on the morning of 12/14/10 that the new chaperone policy still has not been fully implemented although it is greater then 2.5 months since the incident.