HospitalInspections.org

Based upon a review of facility documentation and staff interview (EMP), it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that patients received care in a safe setting when a cardiac monitoring station was left unattended.

Findings included:

Review of facility policy "Patient Rights and Responsibilities" dated August 20, 2013, revealed "...You have the right to...Receive care in a safe setting free from any form of abuse, harassment and neglect..."

Review of facility policy "Remote Telemetry Monitoring" last reviewed February 2014, revealed "...Staffing...A Monitor Tech will be assigned to watch the monitors on each shift...If a Monitor Tech is not assigned any person who has successfully passed a basic electrocardiogram (ECG) test may be assigned to monitor the remote telemetry...The staff member assigned to monitor remote telemetry may not leave the monitors unattended at any time..."

Review of Job Description "Cardiac Monitor Tech Sr" updated April 22, 2013, revealed "...Job Summary: Performs continuous observations, interpretations, and communication of cardiac rhythms of cardiac patients..."

1) A review of staff assignment sheets for May 9, 2014, 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM shift on Nursing Unit 8A revealed that EMP10 was scheduled and present to monitor remote telemetry for that shift.

2) Review of facility documentation 8A/...Code Blue 05/09/14 at 23:25, EMP10 revealed "...MR1 comes off monitor (leads off)...immediately went to put patients on telemetry..."

3) During a telephone conference call on June 5, 2014, at approximately 8:08 AM, EMP11 was asked why he/she ended up monitoring remote telemetry on May 9, 2014, at approximately 11:25 PM when EMP10 was assigned for that shift. EMP11 stated, " ...EMP10 was not there...nobody was there...I saw nobody was at the nursing station and that is why I stayed..."