HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations conducted in surgical services, the facility failed to implement all infection control measures that prevent transmission of infections to patients and that protect employees from blood borne pathogens.

Findings include:

1. While conducting a facility tour of the operating rooms on 2/23/2011 at 1432 a surgical patient's intravenous tubing was observed to be touching the floor of the operating room for ten to fifteen minutes while the patient was being prepped for surgery.

2. While conducting a facility tour in the preoperative area at 1030 on 2/24/2011 a registered nurse (RN) was observed starting an intravenous line (IV ) on a surgical patient. The registered nurse wore gloves to start the intravenous line and to draw bloods at the same time. A 2x2 gauze pad was placed under the IV site to catch the excess blood, which was visibly soiled after the IV insertion. The registered nurse removed her gloves after the insertion of the intravenous line and used her ungloved hands to dispose of the soiled equipment.