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Based on observation, interview and measurement, the hospital failed to maintain access to emergency exits that would be used in an emergency evacuation of patients, staff and the public. Per NFPA 101 Chapter 19.2.1, "Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit location, and access shall be in accordance with Chapter 7...." Per Chapter 7.1.10.1, "Means of egress shall be continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in case of fire or other emergency." Chapter 19.2.3.4 establishes that "Any required aisle, corridor, or ramp shall be not less that 48 inches in clear width where serving as means of egress from patient sleeping rooms. The aisle, corridor, or ramp shall be arranged to avoid any obstructions to the convenient removal of non-ambulatory persons carried on stretchers or mattresses serving as stretchers."

Findings:

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on March 17, 2016, the corridors on the 8th floor of the Ginsberg Tower were observed. At the end of a corridor near the exit door, a storage alcove marked "Storage 3" was observed to feature a patient bed, a reclining chair, a small table, a privacy curtain and a tray table. The equipment was being used to house a patient who was not present, at that time. Interview with the Nurse Manager at approximately 10:25 a.m. on March 17, 2016 revealed that the patient had been recently moved into a patient room. A measurement was made from the partition base to the base board of the corridor wall, near the exit door, and it was determined to be 45 inches of clear floor space.

These finding were reconfirmed with senior staff during the exit conference at 11:30 a.m. on March 17, 2016.

Based on observation, interview and measurement, the hospital failed to maintain access to emergency exits that would be used in an emergency evacuation of patients, staff and the public. Per NFPA 101 Chapter 19.2.1, "Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit location, and access shall be in accordance with Chapter 7...." Per Chapter 7.1.10.1, "Means of egress shall be continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in case of fire or other emergency." Chapter 19.2.3.4 establishes that "Any required aisle, corridor, or ramp shall be not less that 48 inches in clear width where serving as means of egress from patient sleeping rooms. The aisle, corridor, or ramp shall be arranged to avoid any obstructions to the convenient removal of non-ambulatory persons carried on stretchers or mattresses serving as stretchers."

Findings:

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on March 17, 2016, the corridors on the 8th floor of the Ginsberg Tower were observed. At the end of a corridor near the exit door, a storage alcove marked "Storage 3" was observed to feature a patient bed, a reclining chair, a small table, a privacy curtain and a tray table. The equipment was being used to house a patient who was not present, at that time. Interview with the Nurse Manager at approximately 10:25 a.m. on March 17, 2016 revealed that the patient had been recently moved into a patient room. A measurement was made from the partition base to the base board of the corridor wall, near the exit door, and it was determined to be 45 inches of clear floor space.

These finding were reconfirmed with senior staff during the exit conference at 11:30 a.m. on March 17, 2016.