HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review and interview, the hospital failed to ensure development of a policy/ procedure for it's emergency triage service, in 1 of 1 emergency departments reviewed (Main). This had the potential to affect all patients in the surrounding community that utilize this emergency department.

Findings include:

Record review on 8/3/16 at 11:30 a.m. of the emergency department's policies and procedures manual reflects no documentation of policies/ procedures directing nurse triage of patients seeking emergency department care.

During interview with Director of Nursing/ Patient Care Services D on 8/3/16 at 1p.m., D stated " we do not have a policy that covers patient triage, we only have an average of 10 patients daily and are able to room them (take patients to ED rooms) right away."

The cumulative effect of this systematic failure has the potential to harm all patients who receive emergency department care at this facility.