HospitalInspections.org

Based on surveyor's observations, hospital document review and interviews with staff, the hospital failed to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.

Findings:

1. Labor and Delivery - Linen stored in the Nurse Server could be accessed by patients and public visiting the patient. The linen was not pulled after the patient was discharged, the linen remained and was available for use by the next patient. This was confirmed by Staff N during the surveyor observations on 01/06/2014.

2. Surgery suites - Two of two surgery suites observed had pieces of paper hanging up on the wall. The paper did not have a protective cover or lamination. This was witnessed by Staff C.

3. Post-anesthesia recovery area (PACU) - The suction canisters contained connected Yaunker suction catheters that were placed in the unsealed wrapper. PACU staff and Staff C told the surveyors the suction catheters remained through multiple patients and were not changed unless staff witnessed contamination or they were used.

4. Geriatric behavioral health unit - The unit contains a washer and dryer for patient use.
a. Staff II told the surveyors the units are not disinfected after each patient use.
b. The hospital's policy, provided by Staff II, documented, "Monthly, staff will run a cycle of hot water with one cup of chlorine bleach and a clear water rinse. When the cycle is completed, the washer will be opened to allow the tub to air dry. The cleaning will be documented on the Program Safety Checklist." Th policy did not contain cleaning procedures for the dryer.
c. Review of the forms, "Daily - Washer/Dryer Cleaning Log" did not demonstrate the washer and dryer were sanitized with a disinfectant after each use.
d. On 01/08/2015, Staff P told the surveyors that the staff only used the sanitization cycle, but did not add any disinfectant after each use.
e. Review of the manufacturer manual for the washer did not contain information that the washer contained a temperature booster to ensure the required hot water temperature was obtained to ensure disinfection. Staff P stated the washer did not have a temperature booster.