HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations while on the adult behavioral health unit 11 west it was determined that the hospital staff failed to 1) ensure patient's safety while a medical bed was observed to be unattended on the unit, 2) ensure that an exit was unobstructed and 3) ensure a seclusion room bathroom was free of hazards.

On June 19, 2018 while surveyors where on the unit around 10:00 am, a patient bed was observed stored in the hallway near room N11W40, within six feet of an exit door for the unit. The medical bed was observed to be unattended. The unit charge nurse reported the bed had been there for at least 3 days. This was confirmed with the unit's nurse manager. Exit hallways must not be blocked to ensure easy access in the event of an emergency.

The unit's two seclusion rooms and adjacent bathroom were reviewed during the survey. There were no patients in seclusion. When opening the locked seclusion room bathroom there were multiple small bottles of shampoo and mouthwash as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes at the sink. The bathroom appeared to have been used and not cleaned. When asked who these items belonged to, the unit charge nurse did not know. Upon surveyors leaving the area, hospital staff did not lock the bathroom door. A patient was seen going in and out of the seclusion room bathroom unattended until it was pointed out by the surveyor.

The two seclusion rooms on the unit have video monitoring capability. Per the charge nurse, patients in seclusion are monitored by a sitter or via the video monitors located at the nursing station. When observing the video monitors, each room had two views. One of the views for room N11W41 was not functional and showed only a blue screen. Due to this, not all corners of the seclusion room were visible on the video monitors.