HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure access doors to 1 of 5 hazardous areas, such as a storage room larger than 50 square feet, was held open only with a device which allowed the door to close automatically. This deficient practice could affect visitors, staff and 12 patients on the first floor.

Findings include:

Based on observation with the maintenance director on 05/26/11 at 2:50 p.m., the self closing corridor access door to the unoccupied 12 by 10 foot dietary storage room was prevented from closing by a foot stool propped under the door knob of the open door. In addition transparent tape was located across the latch which would prevent the door from latching into the door frame when it was closed. The maintenance director said at the time of observation, he had checked the door repeatedly in the past few weeks and it had been properly closed. He agreed the door should not have been held open in this manner.

This deficiency was cited on 03/07/11. The facility failed to implement a systemic plan of correction to prevent recurrence.