HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to provide a safe environment for current adolescent patients, as shown by the presence of an unattended colored pencil found on the main table in the unit's day room where Group Therapy was held.

Findings included:

Review of facility document titled "Visitation & Items NOT permitted in Hospital", Form#: AD - 117/ Created: 8-15-14/Revised 2-23-22, a form which is given to and signed by patients and family members on admittance, stated that any potentially harm producing items were not allowed to be in the hospital.

Observation on 9/1/22 at 9:35 am of facility's adolescent unit, which housed both males and females, revealed there was a colored pencil present on a large table inside the unit's day room where Group Therapy had just been held for males. The wooden colored full-sized pencil was the only object on the table and there was no staff present in the room.

In an interview at the time of findings with DON-Staff #C, she acknowledged the pencil should not have been left unattended inside the room. Staff #C removed the pencil and brought it to RN-Staff #D who was sitting at the nurse's station. Staff #D then also acknowledged that the pencil posed a safety hazard and should not have been left unattended.