HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, it was determined three of three (Operating Rooms (ORs) #1 and #2 and the Endoscopy Room in the hospital surgical unit) ORs and two (Procedure Rooms #1 and #2 in the Pain Clinic) of two Procedure Rooms were not protected by either isolated power or Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles; there was no evidence presented a risk assessment had been performed to indicate that the ORs, Endoscopy Room, or Procedure Rooms were not to be considered as "wet locations" in which the receptacles needed to be protected. The failed practice had the potential to affect all patients and staff utilizing these areas because it could not be assured any electrical biomedical equipment connected to the receptacles would not present an electric shock hazard. There was a census of 21 patients on 10/30/17. Findings follow:

A. While touring the facility on 10/30/2017 at 2:15 PM, observation showed a Line Isolation Monitor (LIM) and an isolation panel were installed in OR #1; interview with the Assistant Director of Nursing revealed the monitors and isolation panels were no longer in use. Observation of GFCI receptacles were not in place in OR #1.
B. While touring the facility on 10/30/2017 at 2:30 PM, observation showed an LIM and an isolation panel were installed in OR #2; interview with the Assistant Director of Nursing revealed the monitors and isolation panels were no longer in use. Observation of GFCI receptacles were not in place in OR #2.
C. While touring the facility on 10/30/2017 at 2:45 PM, observation showed an LIM and an isolation panel were installed in the Endoscopy Room; interview with the Assistant Director of Nursing revealed the monitors and isolation panels were no longer in use. Observation of GFCI receptacles were not in place in the Endoscopy Room.
D. While touring the facility on 10/30/2017 at 3:50 PM, observation showed an LIM and an isolation panel were installed in Procedure Room #1 in the Pain Clinic; interview with the Assistant Director of Nursing revealed the monitors and isolation panels were no longer in use. Observation of GFCI receptacles were not in place in Procedure Room #1.
E. While touring the facility on 10/30/2017 at 3:55 PM, observation showed an LIM and an isolation panel were installed in Procedure Room #2 in the Pain Clinic; interview with the Assistant Director of Nursing revealed the monitors and isolation panels were no longer in use. Observation of GFCI receptacles were not in place in Procedure Room #2.
F. No evidence was presented to indicate a risk assessment had been performed to eliminate the two ORs, the Endoscopy Room, or the two Procedure Rooms from being considered as "wet locations."

Referenced code: NFPA 99; 2012 edition, Sections: 6.3.2.2.8.4, 6.3.2.2.8.7, 6.4.4.2

Based on observation and interview on 10/30/17 at 2:30 PM, it was determined three of three portable nerve stimulation devices had not had an inspection or preventative maintenance performed on them since September of 2016. At a minimum the units should have the current leakage tested per NFPA 99, Section: 10.3.5 and the manufacturer's instructions at least once per year. The failed practice had the potential to affect the safety of all patients on which the devices were used because it could not be assured that the devices would function as designed. There was a census of 21 patients on 10/30/17. Findings follow:

A. While on tour of the facility on 10/30/17 at 2:15 PM, observation showed that a portable nerve stimulation device in Operating Room (OR) #1 had an inspection sticker on it marked "September 2016."
B. While on tour of the facility on 10/30/17 at 2:30 PM, observation showed that a portable nerve stimulation device in OR #2 had an inspection sticker on it marked "September 2016."
C. While on tour of the facility on 10/30/17 at 2:45 PM, observation showed that a portable nerve stimulation device in the Endoscopy Room had an inspection sticker on it marked "September 2015."
D. During an interview on 10/31/17 at 3:00 PM with Chief Facilities Engineer, he stated that the devices were not part of the hospital's current inventory and had not been inspected for the current year (2017).

Referenced code: NFPA 99; 2012 edition, Sections: 10.3, 10.5.2.1, 10.5.2.1.2, 10.5.2.5, 10.5.3, 10.5.6, 10.5.8