HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview the Hospital failed to meet the standard of care for medication labeling and bronchoscope storage.

1.) The Surveyor observed the contents of the Intravenous Cart and interviewed the Clinical Leader of the Surgical Day Care (SDC) area at 7:20 A.M. on 5/8/19. The cart contained a multi-dose vial of Lidocaine (a numbing medication). The vial was opened with a date of 5/20 in bold marker. Also written on the vial was the vial's expiration date of 6/1/19. The Clinical Leader said the Hospital policy for a multi-dose vial was to open and date the vial and it could be used for the next 28 days. With two dates on the vial it was not possible to determine when the vial would expire.

The Surveyor observed a multi-dose vial of insulin in the SDC automated medication storage area. The vial of insulin had a sticker that indicated that the vial had expired on 5/1/19, one week prior to survey. Any expired medication or equipment must be removed to avoid it being used.

2.) The Surveyor observed the difficult airway cart located in the Operating Room (OR). The cart contained two bronchoscopes (a large flexible tube used to visualize the upper airway and lungs) that were curled in the storage cabinet. Flexible bronchoscopes must be allowed to hang freely to prevent an accumulation of moisture and potential bacteria colonization. The Clinical Leader of the OR said the cabinet would need to be longer to store the bronchoscopes correctly.