HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to ensure that an administrator was designated to act in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This failure had the potential for the quality and safety of patient care to be negatively impacted.

Findings:

During an interview on 6/5/17 at 12:30 pm, Administrative (Admin) Staff D was asked to get the CEO to attend the entrance conference. Admin Staff D stated the CEO was currently on a leave of absence and stated that he verbally left three staff members in charge, Admin Staff D, Chief Nursing Officer (who resigned approximately one hour prior), and Accounts Payable Staff A. Admin Staff D was asked if the the Governing Body (GB, the Board) had appointed someone to be the interim CEO, and she replied "no." Admin Staff D stated no authority was granted to the three staff left "in charge." When asked who was making the financial decisions, Admin Staff D stated the CEO had not stopped doing that part of the job.

In an interview on 6/5/17 at 3:30 pm, Accounts Payable Staff A also confirmed that the CEO was still handling financial decisions while on leave of absence.

The 5/29/17 Governing Body minutes were reviewed and no evidence was present indicating the GB had appointed anyone to act in the CEO's absence.

In an interview on 6/5/17 at 1 pm, Governing Body Member E stated the CEO was on leave and the GB had not put anyone in charge during the CEO's absence.