HospitalInspections.org

Based on interviews and observations, the facility failed to ensure that all patient-care equipment is maintained in safe operating condition in three (3) of five (5) patient care areas (Emergency Department, Medical/Surgical Unit and Specialty Clinics).

Findings:

The Calais Community Hospital ("CCH") policy "Preventative Maintenance" last updated 4/2022, states in part, "It is the GUIDELINE of CCH's maintenance department to evaluate and perform preventative maintenance on the equipment in the facility...".

On 4/20/2023, observations were conducted in the following areas and the following was found:

- On 4/20/2023 at 12:25 PM, in the Emergency Department ("ED") a thermometer probe on the side of a medication refrigerator was observed to have an inspection sticker dated due by 8/2022. This probe requires annual checks to ensure proper functioning;

- On 4/20/2023 at 1:15 PM, an ED staff nurse confirmed this finding during the observation;

- On 4/20/2023 at 12:54 PM, on the Medical/Surgical ("Med/Surg") Unit, a thermometer probe on the side of a medication refrigerator was observed to have an inspection sticker dated due by 8/2022. This probe requires annual checks to ensure proper functioning;

- On 4/20/2023 at 12:56 PM, a Med/Surg staff nurse confirmed this finding during the observation;

- On 4/20/2023 at 1:00 PM, outside Room 101 on the Med/Surg Unit, a floor scale was observed with an inspection sticker dated due by 12/2021. This scale requires annual checks to ensure proper functioning;

- On 4/20/2023 at 1:06 PM, in the Speciality Clinics, a thermometer in Post Acute Care Unit Room 2 was observed with an inspection sticker dated due by 8/2022. This thermometer requires annual checks to ensure proper functioning;

- On 4/21/2023 at 9:00 AM, the Plant Operations Director confirmed the above finding during the observation;

- On 4/21/2023 at 9:45 AM, during a telephone interview with the Bio Med Technician, it was confirmed that if the above items were not on the Preventative Maintenance list they would not have been inspected; and

- On 4/25/2023 at 2:27 PM, the Plant Operations Manager confirmed that the scale found on the floor outside Room 101 was on the Preventative Maintenance list but missed for inspection. He confirmed that the thermometer in the Specialty Clinic was on the list but was missed for inspection. He confirmed that the two (2) probes on the two (2) refrigerators were not on the list and therefore missed.