HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interviews with staff, the facility failed to ensure that outdated medications and supplies were not available for patient use, as expired items were found in 3 patient care areas.

Findings were:

A tour of the facility was conducted the afternoon of 9/16/13. In the Surgery Department crash cart, 6 syringes were found with expiration dates ranging from 2/2011 to 1/2012 and a package of electrodes were found which expired in 10/2012. In an anesthesia cart, 13 syringes were found with expiration dates ranging from 3/2007 to 7/2013. In the facility Emergency Department, 3 tracheostomy tubes were found which expired in 7/2013 and in 8/2013, and a can of Ensure expired in 1/2012. In the facility Labor and Delivery Department, a vial of sodium chloride was found which expired in 3/2013 and 3 lab draw kits were found which expired 3/2013. All items were available for patient use.

In-person interviews were conducted during the tour with the Chief Nursing Officer and the Director of Surgery the afternoon of 9/16/13. The staff members acknowledged that the expired medications and supplies were available for patient use, and that the facility does not have a policy to monitor for expired items in patient care areas.