HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review and interview the facility failed to ensure a State of Alaska (SOA) background check had been completed upon hire for 7 of 11 employees who's HR file was reviewed. In addition, the SOA Back Ground Unit identified 34 employees who had expired background checks that the facility had been notified of and had not responded to. Failure to ensure the background checks were completed prior to the first day of work placed all patients at risk for harm and or identify theft. Findings:

Record review of following staff records reviewed from 8/24-28/15 revealed the SOA background check and finger printing had not been completed upon hire:

Staff #1 - hire date 6/15;
Staff #2 - hire date 6/14;
Staff #4 - hire date 10/02;
Staff #5 - hire date 2/15;
Staff #6 - hire date 7/15;
Staff #8 - hire date 11/14;
Staff #11 - hire date 9/12;

Record review on 8/26/15 of the SOA Background Check Unit list of Norton Sound Regional Hospital Staff with expired background checks revealed Staff #'s 12-31 had SOA background checks & finger printing that expired on 6/30/15.

In addition, the following staff had expired SOA background check & finger printing on the following dates:
Staff #32 & 33 expired on 7/2/15;
Staff #34 & 35 expired on 7/8/15;
Staff #'s 36 - 38 expired on 1/16/15;
Staff #'s 39 - 41 expired on 7/25/15;
Staff #'s 42- 44 expired on 7/28/15;
Staff #'s 45 - expired on 7/29/15.

During an interview on 8/26/15 HR specialist #1 confirmed the background checks and finger printing had not been completed possibly due to the high turnover in HR staff.