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Based on observation, review of documentation and interviews with the facility staff, the facility failed to ensure a sanitary environment to avoid sources and transmission of infections and communicable diseases, as 4 patient care areas of the hospital and 1 off site clinic were not clean and sanitary and the areas were available for patient use.

Findings were:

During a tour of the off site physical therapy clinic on the afternoon of 06/11/12 with staff # 35, and staff # 1. The surveyor observed clean towels on the linen cart next to the dirty linen hamper. The hamper was not closed and used towels were hanging over the sides of the hamper in close proximity of the clean linen cart. The clean linen on the cart was uncovered exposing the linen to the elements and the unclosed dirty linen hamper.
A white sheet was observed by the surveyor wrapped around the legs of a treatment table in the physical therapy treatment room lying on the floor. The above findings were confirmed by staff #1 and staff # 35 in an in-person interview during the tour of the physical therapy clinic on the afternoon of 06/11/12.

During a tour of the medical surgical unit on the afternoon of 06/11/12 with staff # 1, the surveyor observed in one of the cleaned rooms, available for patient use that the overhead light over the top of the patient's bed was covered with black and grayish dust particles. The surveyor observed light brownish dried splashes appearing to be an unknown brownish solution, on the bottom of an intravenous pole in the clean patient room, available for patient use. The above findings were confirmed in an in-person interview with Staff #1 during the tour of the medical surgical unit at the facility on the afternoon of 06/11/12.

During a tour of the emergency department the afternoon of 6/11/2012 with staff member #40 revealed in the trauma room, the facility failed to properly clean and sanitize the mattress and exam bed. The trauma room had been cleaned and ready for patient use. The surveyor witnessed bright red stains which appeared to be blood underneath the black vinyl mattress. The surveyor also witnessed bright red splashes. The splashes were about the size of an eraser head on bilateral sides of the exam bed. Staff member #40 called housekeeping staff during the surveyor's presence and notified them of the bright red stains. The above was confirmed in an in-person interview with staff member #40 the afternoon of 6/11/2012. During the same interview, staff member #40 also confirmed the above was an infection control issue.


During a tour of the Surgery department the afternoon of 6/11/2012 with staff members #37 and #41, revealed a blue vinyl patient chair with approximately 1 inch tear on the left arm rest exposing the netting underneath. The above was confirmed in an in person interview with staff members #37 and #41 the afternoon of 6/11/2012.

During a tour of the Laboratory department the morning of 6/12/2012 with staff member #42, revealed a mauve vinyl patient chair with approximately 1 ? inch tear on the left arm rest exposing the netting underneath. Also, the same patient chair there was a front arm rest tear on the right side approximately 1 inch, exposing the foam underneath. This was an infection control issue as the patient's have their labs drawn in this chair. The above was confirmed in an in-person interview with staff member #42 the morning of 6/12/2012.

Review of facility documentation " HAMILTON GENERAL HOSPITAL INFECTION CONTROL, PURPOSE: The Infection Control Program at Hamilton General Hospital incorporates the following in a continuing cycle: Surveillance, prevention and control of infections throughout the organization. "

Review of facility documentation "HAMILTON GENERAL HOSPITAL INFECTION CONTROL, Patient Care Areas. All upward facing horizontal surfaces shall be damp cleaned daily. Upon discharge, all parts of beds and mattresses shall be wet cleaned with an approved germicide solution before remaking. All patient and non care patient rooms shall be thoroughly cleaned and /or disinfected keeping in mind Standard Precautions and Infection control. Infection Control Physical Therapy Department. Clean linen is stored in the closed cupboards in the main treatment room. Clean and dirty lined are handled separately."