HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and staff interview, and review of facility policies, the facility failed to provide a safe environment for the patients housed in their behavioral health facility.

Findings include:

Observation during a tour of the Behavioral Health Unit with the Executive Director of Med/Surg and Behavioral Health and the Assistant Nurse Manager on 8/13/2015 at 10:00 AM revealed:
· The women's common shower on the B hall was found to have a shower curtain hanging on a rod, which did not break away with vigorous pulling by the surveyor and the Executive Director of Med/Surg and Behavioral Health.
· The dining room was found to have 23 medium weight, wood framed chairs which could be easily lifted, and potentially used to harm patients or staff

The Executive Director of Med/Surg and Behavioral Health acknowledged the above findings on 8/13/2015 at 10:20 AM.

Review of facility policy number 12.004, General Safety, origination date August 2007, effective date May 2013, revealed that the hospital's policy is to provide a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff, volunteers and visitors.

Review of the facility's Privacy Practices, Patient Right for Georgia's Mental Health Hospital, revealed that patients are entitled to a safe and humane place to live while they are in the hospital

Based on observation, review of facility policies, and review of the Behavioral Health Center's nursing department staffing for a two (2) week period, the facility failed to have sufficient nursing staff to adequately care for the patients housed in the behavioral health facility.

Findings include:

Observation during a tour of the Behavioral Health Unit with the Executive Director of Med/Surg and Behavioral Health and the Assistant Nurse Manager on 8/13/2015 at 10:00 AM revealed :
The Behavioral Health Unit is in the shape of an "H", with the nurse's station connecting hall A and hall B. A ceiling mounted video camera was noted at the far end of each hall. Patient room doors were found locked.
The Treatment Mall contained two (2) rooms for group therapy. One group therapy session was being conducted, which contained twelve (12) patients, one (1) psychotherapist, and two (2) mental health technicians. One (1) patient was noted to be in a treatment team conference with staff members. One (1) security guard was standing in the open area between the therapy rooms. The security guard was not armed with a weapon, spray, or handcuffs

Review of facility policy number HR-1030, Nursing Staffing/Scheduling, origination date 5/10/95, effective date 11/2012, revealed that the hospital's policy is to provide an appropriate number of caregivers to meet patient needs and fulfill the mission of the hospital.

Review of the Behavioral Health Center's nursing department staffing for a two (2) week period (7/19-8/1/2015) revealed that staff worked twelve(12) hour shifts, and were understaffed (according to their staffing matrix, and including all 1:1 patients) on fourteen (14) of twenty eight (28) shifts (7/19, 7/23, 7/24, 7/25, 7/26, 7/29, 7/30, 7/31, and 8/1/2015)