HospitalInspections.org

Based on a review of documentation, the governing body failed to be responsible for services furnished in the hospital.

Findings were:

A review of facility policy and procedure titled Interpreters and Adaptive Aids states, in part, 'Hearing Impaired: 1) Sign-Language Interpreter-Staff will contact Communication by Hand at (512) 467-1917 when an interpreter is needed. "

Review of the clinical record of patient #1 revealed that the patient was deaf but no interpreter was contacted. The following documentation indicated that interpretive services were needed:
? The Emergency Medical Services Patient Care Report states, "pot is also deaf and a significant amount of anxiety is related to her inability to communicate with personnel onscene.
? The Physician's Emergency Room Report states, "Evaluation limited bypt is deaf..History limited by a language barrier."
? The Nursing Progress Notes state, "The initial plan of care for this patient includes an assessment with eforts to address the patient's anxiety;"

The above was confirmed in an interview with the Chief Nursing Officer and the Director of Quality on the afternoon of 5-24-12 in the Administrative conference room.

Based on a review of the clinical record, the hospital failed to inform the patient of her patient rights.

Findings were:

During a review of the clinical record for patient #1, it was revealed that the patient was deaf. Further review of the clinical record revealed no effort on the part of the facility to obtain an American Sign Language Interpreter so that the patient could be informed of her rights in her primary language.

The above was confirmed in an interview with the Chief Nursing Officer and the Director of Quality on the afternoon of 5-24-12 in the administrative conference room.