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Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure supplies and equipment commonly used in life-saving procedures were readily available for patient use. Specifically, the facility failed to remove expired and unusable supplies from the radiology crash carts.

Findings:

Cross Reference to C-0204 - Equipment and Supplies: for findings related to the facility's failure to ensure equipment and supplies commonly used in life-saving procedures were readily available for patient use. Specifically, the facility failed to remove expired and unusable supplies from the radiology crash carts.

Based on observations and interviews the facility failed to ensure equipment and supplies commonly used in life-saving procedures were readily available for patient use. Specifically, the facility failed to remove expired and unusable supplies from Radiology crash carts.

Findings:

1. A tour of the Radiology Department was conducted on 10/22/12 at 1:12 p.m. with the Risk Manager and Quality/Education Coordinator. It was discovered during observations that the department had available for patient use the following expired and unusable supplies:

twin catheters expired 07/06 x3
butterfly needles expired 01/06 x2, 01/03, 08/01, and 09/11
pedicap expired 09/12 x2
intra-osseous needles expired 05/04 and 11/06
20 g IV catheters expired 12/05 x 5
18 g IV catheters expired 09/05 x3
24 g IV catheters expired 02/05 x3
22 g IV catheters expired 08/05 x2
iodine pads expired 09/01 x 25 and 11/02 x 25
electrodes expired 03/12 x 1 package
arterial blood gas kits expired 03/11 x 4
KY jelly expired 08/04
petroleum gauze expired 12/04
spinal needles expired 12/04 x 1
4 others with no expiration date but packaging yellowed
plastic blunt tip needles expired 11/07 x 45
oxygen tank expired 04/25/09

The Quality/Education Coordinator was present during the examination of both Radiology crash carts and verified all expired items at that time.

2. During an interview with a Radiology Employee on 10/22/12 at 1:30 p.m., s/he stated that s/he never opened up the crash carts and only checked the items on top. The Employee also stated s/he thought the Emergency Department Manager was responsible for checking the crash carts.

a) During an interview with the former Radiology Manager on 10/22/12 at 1:37 p.m., s/he stated that a meeting was held with the Radiology staff to communicate they were responsible for checking all supplies in the crash carts.

Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure all patient care equipment and supplies are maintained in safe condition that includes an acceptable level of quality.

Findings:

1. A tour of the Radiology department was conducted on 10/22/12 at 1:12 p.m. with the Quality/Education Coordinator. Both the CT scan room and the X-ray room were observed to contain crash carts stocked with expired supplies.

twin catheters expired 07/06 x3
butterfly needles expired 01/06 x2, 01/03, 08/01, and 09/11
pedicap expired 09/12 x2
intra-osseous needles expired 05/04 and 11/06
20 g IV catheters expired 12/05 x 5
18 g IV catheters expired 09/05 x3
24 g IV catheters expired 02/05 x3
22 g IV catheters expired 08/05 x2
iodine pads expired 09/01 x 25 and 11/02 x 25
electrodes expired 03/12 x 1 package
arterial blood gas kits expired 03/11 x 4
KY jelly expired 08/04
petroleum gauze expired 12/04
spinal needles expired 12/04 x 1
4 others with no expiration date but packaging yellowed
plastic blunt tip needles expired 11/07 x 45
oxygen tank expired 04/25/09

The Quality/Education Coordinator was present during the examination of both Radiology crash carts and verified all expired items at that time.

2. During an interview with a Radiology Employee on 10/22/12 at 1:30 p.m., s/he stated that s/he never opened up the crash carts and only checked the items on top. The Employee also stated s/he thought the Emergency Department Manager was responsible for checking the crash carts.

a) During an interview with the former Radiology Manager on 10/22/12 at 1:37 p.m., s/he stated that a meeting was held with the Radiology staff to communicate they were responsible for checking all supplies in the crash carts.