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327 MEDICAL PARK DRIVE

BRIDGEPORT, WV 26330

PATIENT RIGHTS: CARE IN SAFE SETTING

Tag No.: A0144

Based on surveyor observations, staff interviews and document review, the hospital failed to ensure patients have a safe environment for showering. This has the potential to negatively impact all patient care by creating an environment for increased patient falls. Findings include:

1. During an interview with the Director of Facilities Management (DFM) and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the morning of 2/28/11, both stated the hospital administration is well aware of the problem with the leaking patient shower drains. The DFM stated they have been trying to find a "fix" to the problem since moving into the new facility. The DFM further stated multiple methods have been used to try to fix the problem, however, only recently do they think they have finally found the solution.

2. During separate interviews, in the morning of 3/1/11, with the Nurse Managers (NMs) of 4 North and 5 South nursing units both stated not all showers on their respective nursing units leak and of the ones with leaking problems, some are worse than others. Both NMs stated prior to patients showering, the staff create "dams" with towels across the entrance to the shower to keep the water from leaking out into the bathroom floor.

3. During a tour of the 5 South nursing unit, in the late morning of 3/1/11, with the NM one (1) shower was observed for leaking and after approximately one (1) minute of the shower running, the water was running into the floor. It is important to note, there was no "dam" created with towels for this observation.

3. Review of documents from January 1, 2011 to present revealed two (2) documented patient falls due to shower water running into the bathroom falls.

MAINTENANCE OF PHYSICAL PLANT

Tag No.: A0701

Based on observations and staff interview, the hospital failed to maintain the condition of the physical plant in a manner to protect the safety and well-being of patients. This has the potential to adversely affect the safety of all hospital patients. Findings include:

1. During a random inspection of patient rooms on 02/28/11, the shower drains located in the patient bathrooms were found to allow water to drain from the shower into floor of the bathroom and patient room creating an unsafe area.

2. During an interview with the hospital administrator and facility director on 02/28/11 at approximately 2:30 p.m., it was stated that shower drains in patient rooms were believed to be installed incorrectly and would need to be corrected in all patient rooms.