HospitalInspections.org

Based on findings from observation, the common wall separating the bridge from the hospital to the former nurse's building was not properly constructed.

Findings include:

-per observation at 2:50 p.m. on 11/4/13, the common wall between the hospital and bridge leading to the former nurse's building was not protected by approved self-closing doors with at least a 1 1/2 hour fire rating as required by NFPA 101, section 19.1.
-the Director of Facilities Operations who was present at the time the above observation was made, verified this finding.

Based on findings from observation, the door on the radiology technician room was not properly constructed against the spread of fire.

Findings include:

-per observation at 1:30 p.m. on 11/4/13, the radiology technician room door, which contained combustibles, was not one-hour fire rated in accordance with NFPA 101, section 8.4.
-the Director of Facilities Operations who was present at the time the above observation was made, verified this finding.

Based on findings from observation, the sprinklers in the medical records storage room in the basement (room immediately below the MRI/CT scanner rooms) were obstructed. Obstructed sprinklers will not provide sufficient coverage of an area in the event of a fire.

Findings include:

-per observation at 12:25 p.m. on 11/4/13, a clear space of 18 inches was not maintained below the sprinklers in the medical records storage room in the basement as required by NFPA 13.
-the Director of Facilities Operations who was present at the time the above observation was made, verified these findings.

Based on findings from observations and interview, mobile power strips were being used in the procedure and operating rooms, an extension cord was being used to transmit power to devices in the procedure room, and there were insufficient electrical outlets in both the procedure and operating rooms.
Findings include:
-per observations at 3:05p.m.and 3:20 p.m. on 11/4/13, mobile power strips (used as an extension cord) were observed in the procedure room and in operating room #6. A yellow extension cord was also observed in the procedure room at 3:05 p.m. NFPA 70 (1999) and NFPA 99 (1999), referenced in NFPA 101 (2000), provide criteria for the use of extension cords and power strips. Extension cords must be adequate for the application to avoid overloads and tested for continuity and polarity when installed.
-per interview at 3:05 p.m. on 11/4/13 and again at 9:15 a.m. on 11/5/13, the Surgical Charge Nurse stated that the operating and procedure rooms did not have sufficient electrical outlets for the number of electrical devices being used in the procedure and operating rooms and that power strips were being used to supply power on as-needed in these rooms in lieu of a sufficient number of electrical outlets.
-per interview at 3:20 p.m. on 11/4/13 on 11/4/13, the Plant Operations Manager stated that the extension cord and power strips in the operating and procedure rooms had not been tested.
-per interview at 3:05 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. on 11/4/13, both the Manager of Plant Operations and the Director of Facilities Operations confirmed the presence of the power strips and extension cord in the procedure room and in operating room #6.