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Based on observation, interview, and policy review the facility failed to ensure laryngoscope blades (an instrument used to view the vocal cords, within the throat that vibrate and produce a voice) were placed individually, in a closed plastic bag, and dated with the date the laryngoscope blades were disinfected in five crash carts (wheeled containers with supplies and medication used in emergencies) (#3, #2, and Pediatric in the Emergency Department (ED), Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and Medical-Surgical Department) of six observed. This increased the risk for infectious bacteria to be transmitted to patients when used in patient care. The facility census was nine.

Findings included:

1. Record review of the facility's policy titled, "Laryngoscope Blade and Handle Cleaning," dated 07/02/15, showed the directive for staff to store blades individually to eliminate the potential for contaminating multiple blades if packaged together. The blades should be placed in a closed plastic bag, and each bag labeled with a date (date disinfected).

2. Observation with concurrent interview in the ED on 04/05/16 from 10:36 to 11:15 AM showed:
- The crash cart in room #3 with nine laryngoscope blades in plastic bags not dated. Of the nine blades, there were two blades together in one plastic bag and another plastic bag held three blades.
- The crash cart in room #2 had two hard back cases, which contained four laryngoscopes blades in each not individually packaged in plastic bags and not dated.
- The pediatric crash cart in the ED with one plastic bag with three laryngoscope blades in the bag and the bag was not dated.
Staff C, ED Manager, confirmed the findings.

3. Observation with concurrent interview in the Medical-Surgical Department on 04/05/16 at 11:16 AM showed four laryngoscope blades in bags and not dated. Two of the four blades were in bags that could not be closed. Staff C, confirmed these findings.

4. Observation with concurrent interview in the PACU on 04/05/16 at 11:30 AM showed seven laryngoscope blades in bags that were not dated. Staff H, Registered Nurse (RN), and Staff D, Quality and Accreditation Manager, confirmed the findings.

During an interview on 04/07/16 at 9:26 AM Staff B, Executive Director of Operations, stated that she expected staff would have found these issues during checks of the crash carts and made sure the laryngoscope blades were stored per policy.