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Based on observation, interview, and review of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code 2012 Edition, it was determined the facility failed to use portable space heaters in accordance with Life Safety standards in that a portable space heater was present in a patient care area and there was no process in place to ensure the space heaters in the facility would not exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The failed practice created a fire hazard in the Respiratory Therapy Room. Findings follow:

A. Review of NFPA 101 2012 Edition: 19.7.8 showed portable space heating devices shall be prohibited in all health care occupancies unless such devices are used in nonsleeping staff areas and the heating elements of such devices do not exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
B. Observation on 9/20/22 at 10:20 AM of the Respiratory Therapy Room showed a portable space heater was present adjacent to the patient chair. This finding was verified with the Facilities Manager at the time of observation.
C. In an interview with the Facilities Manager on 9/20/22 at 10:25 AM it was confirmed the facility did not have any process in place to ensure the heating element of portable space heating devices did not exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Based on observation, interview, and review of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99 Health Care Facilities Code 2012 Edition, it was determined the facility failed to use multiple-receptacle power cords in accordance with NFPA 99 standards in three of three patient care areas (Respiratory Therapy Room, Physical Therapy Room 3, Physical Therapy Room 4) in that there was no measure in place to prevent additional devices from being plugged in to the power cords, there was no measure in place to ensure the devices powered by the cords did not exceed 75% of each cord's rated ampacity, the electrical and mechanical integrity of the cords were not regularly verified and documented, and the power cords were not permanently attached to the equipment they were powering. The failed practices had the likelihood to affect all patients receiving care in the vicinity of the power cords in that there were no processes in place to ensure the cords would not exceed their ampacity and cause a fire or electrical shock. Findings follow:

A. Review of NFPA 99 2012 Edition: 10.2.3.6 showed flexible power cords with two or more receptacles shall be permitted to be used provided they are permanently attached to the assembly they are powering, the sum of all appliances connected to the outlets does not exceed 75% of the power cord's ampacity, the electrical and mechanical integrity of the cord are regularly verified and documented, and means are employed to ensure additional devices or nonmedical equipment cannot be connected to the power cords after leakage currents have been verified as safe.
B. Observation on 9/20/22 at 10:20 AM of the Respiratory Therapy Room showed two patient care-related electrical devices were being powered by a multiple-receptacle power cord with 6 receptacles which was plugged into the wall. There was no measure in place to prevent additional devices from being plugged in to the power cord and the cord was not permanently attached to the equipment it was powering. This finding was verified with the Facilities Manager at the time of observation.
C. Observation on 9/20/22 at 10:40 AM of the Physical Therapy department showed Physical Therapy Room 3 had a relocatable power tap with 6 receptacles plugged into the wall powering three patient care-related electrical devices. Further observation of Physical Therapy Room 4 showed a relocatable power tap with 6 receptacles was plugged into the wall and was powering three patient care-related electrical devices. There were no measures in place to prevent additional devices from being plugged into either of the power taps and neither power tap was permanently attached to the equipment it was powering. These findings were verified with the Facilities Manager at the time of observation.
D. In an interview with the Facilities Manager on 9/20/22 at 10:45 AM it was verified that there was no process in place for ensuring devices plugged into relocatable power taps or flexible power cords with multiple receptacles would not exceed 75% of their designated ampacity. It was also verified that there was no process for regularly verifying the mechanical and electrical integrity of the multiple-receptacle power cords in the facility.