HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, record review and interview, the hospital failed to implement measures to ensure the provision of a safe environment consistent with effective infection control precautions and hospital policy as evidenced by:
1) Having patient care supplies stored in a storage area in the ED (Emergency Department) with visible dust on the shelves and with broken, dirty and/or unused patient care equipment.
2) Having patient care equipment located in the ED patient care rooms which contained visual dust on the cardiac monitors, IV poles (base), crash cart, and ED stretcher base and cow (computer on wheels). Findings:

1) Having patient care supplies stored in a storage area in the ED (Emergency Department) with visible dust on the shelves and with broken, dirty and/or unused patient care equipment.

Observation of the ED on 12/18/14 at 12:40 p.m. revealed a clean supply storage room of patient care supplies with visible dust noted to be on the storage shelves. Further observation revealed the following items were noted to be stored in the same storage room with the clean patient supplies: visible dust on a portable water cooler, visible dust on the monitor screen of a vital sign machine, visible dust on the base of an IV (Intravenous) pole, and a paper towel holder and seat cushion located on the floor in this room.

Review of the hospital policy titled: "General Cleaning and Sanitation of Patient Care Equipment" read in parts: "All ECG (Electronic Cardiograph) machines, vital sign machines to include the thermometers, and pulse oximeter must be cleaned with approved germicidal solution after each patient use."

2) Having patient care equipment located in the ED patient care rooms which contained visual dust on the cardiac monitors, IV poles (base), crash cart, and ED stretcher base and cow (computer on wheels).
Observation of the ED patient care room at 12:40 p.m. revealed visible dust on the following: cardiac monitors (2), IV pole (base), crash cart defibrillator, ED stretcher base and cow (computer on wheels) (2) .
In an interview on 12/18/14 at 12:45 p.m., S11 RN confirmed the above observations.
In an interview on 12/18/14 at 1:00 p.m., S6 Case Manager indicated that she was the Infection Control Nurse for the hospital and the clean supplies should not have been stored on shelves with visible dust with broken, dirty and/or unused patient care equipment.. S6 Case Manager also indicated the patient care equipment located in the ED rooms were ready for patient use and should not have contained visible dust on them.