The information below comes from the statement of deficiencies compiled by health inspectors and provided to AHCJ by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It does not include the steps the hospital plans to take to fix the problem, known as a plan of correction. For that information, you should contact the hospital, your state health department or CMS. Accessing the document may require you to file a Freedom of Information Request. Information on doing so is available here.

WEST PENN HOSPITAL 4800 FRIENDSHIP AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA 15224 Oct. 9, 2012
VIOLATION: RESPIRATORY CARE PERSONNEL POLICIES Tag No: A1161
Based on a review of facility documents and staff interview (EMP) it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that adequate supervision was provided to unlicensed respiratory therapy interns enrolled in the program.

Findings include:

1) Based on a review of the facility's documentation submitted to this Department on August 21, 2012 regarding their Respiratory Care Preceptor Program revealed "...3. Scheduling and Orientation...Scheduling is completed by the Respiratory Care supervisor and/or the manager... The interns are supervised by the staff therapists throughout their orientation. Once orientation is complete and all competencies are signed off, the interns meet with the Respiratory Care supervisor and director to review all documentation and discuss any areas that need additional orientation. Feedback is elicited from the therapists on the students as well and given to the students. Orientation is a very interactive process. On an ongoing basis, interns have access to staff therapists while performing procedures and supervisory staff for consultation. Interns are never scheduled without staff therapists in the facility providing oversight.

2) During interview conducted with OTH1 on August 7, 2012, at approximately 10:00 AM when asked what level of supervision was afforded the unlicensed Repiratory Care students (interns) enrolled in the Preceptorship Program revealed "...We have more rigorous oversight in training but prior to the mentorship the student must go through lab then inspection and then watched and observed under faculty supervison...students are turned free...have own assignments...with an academic mentor (licensed facility respiratory therapist) and clinical mentor who is the Department Manager..."