HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, the hospital does not have an established processes to ensure emergency services are provided to protect the health and safety of patients and staff, as evidenced by: 1) there is no signage at either hospital entrance used by emergency patients to identify them as emergency entrances; 2) supplies and medications are not ready for use; and 3) fluid from leaking ceiling vents collects on the floors of two emergency department (ED) rooms.

Findings include:

Findings #1:
Observation during tour of the ED with ED Acting Nurse Manager Staff #4 on 2/3/14 commencing at 10:09 AM revealed there were no signs indicating emergency services outside of the two hospital entrances used by emergency patients: the main entrance, which is used by walk-in ED patients, and the ambulance entrance, which is used for both ambulances and some patients who are driven in personal vehicles to the ED door. This was confirmed during interview of Staff #4 at that time.

Findings #2:
Observation during tour of the ED with Staff #4 on 2/3/14 revealed:
- At 10:40 AM, inspection of the contents of a wall cupboard in ED room #1 revealed a 5 micron/4 inch filter straw, in a bag with Amiodarone, had expired 11/2013.
- At 12:20 PM, inspection of the ED medication refrigerator revealed 2 of 3 opened insulin vials had not been dated when opened.
- At 12:35 PM, inspection of shelves in the Clean Utility Room revealed 1 of 7 Para-Pak C&S specimen containers had expired 12/2013. One of 1 Para-Pak EcoFix specimen containers had expired 8/2013. Two of 2 Fleet Enema mineral oil 4.5 ounce doses had expired 1/2014.
These findings were confirmed by Staff #4 at the time of the inspections.

Findings #3:
Observation during tour of the ED with Staff #4 on 2/3/14 revealed:
- In ED room #1 at 10:40 AM, clear liquid was dripping from a metal vent in the ceiling onto a white cloth pad on the floor between the bed and window. The pad was saturated and fluid was pooled next to it.
- In ED room #2 at 12:30 PM, it was noted that a white cloth pad was on the floor under the same type of metal ceiling vent as in Room #1. The ceiling tiles around the vent were liquid-stained.
Interview of COO/CNO Staff #2 revealed that the negative pressure vents had been leaking from condensation for the previous several weeks.