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141 DR. T.T. LEWIS CIRCLE / PO BOX 230

CHARLESTON, MS 38921

No Description Available

Tag No.: K0050

Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to properly protect patients as directed by NFPA Chapter 19 .7.2.1.


Findings Include:

On January 5, 2012 at 11:30 a.m., while conducting an unannounced fire drill, the Nursing Home Administrator and surveyor found only two employees responding to the drill. The nursing home Administrator stated that the correct protocol was for someone to announce the location of the alarm, while all the doors to resident rooms were being closed. All additional personnel were to bring fire extinguishers to the location of the fire. In the five (5) minutes after the alarm went off, no one announced the location of the fire, One person who responded to the alarm asked if this was a drill and, when no response was given, she began to slowly start closing the doors. Only one fire extinguisher was brought to the location of the alarm and that was by a maintenance person. The location of the fire was never announced. Numerous employees were seen standing around and peeking from their offices but none responded. After approximately five (5) minutes, the nursing home administrator and surveyor went to the fire alarm panel to reset the alarm and found an employee working at the nursing station where the alarm panel was located. The employee asked if we could turn that off but, even though he was at the panel, he never announced the location of the fire. This drill was conducted in the hospital potion of the facility with the help of the Maintenance Director and Nursing Home Administrator.



19.7.2.1*
For health care occupancies, the proper protection of patients shall require the prompt and effective response of health care personnel. The basic response required of staff shall include the removal of all occupants directly involved with the fire emergency, transmission of an appropriate fire alarm signal to warn other building occupants and summon staff, confinement of the effects of the fire by closing doors to isolate the fire area, and the relocation of patients as detailed in the health care occupancy ' s fire safety plan.