2014 Q2 EC Rounds - Clinical Areas

Flashlights - Your department must have a supply of flashlights and extra batteries (and manual call bells for inpatient areas) in case of power outage. One or more of the employees in your area were asked to locate one. Ideally, batteries should not be kept in the flashlights unless they are being used as the battery may leak and damage the flashlight so that it will not be usable in an emergency.

Plan of action - if required, please send me your next steps within two weeks unless otherwise indicated

RACE - Staff must know what to do when the fire alarm sounds. This survey one or more of your staff were asked what the A in RACE stands for. Staff should know where the closest fire alarm pull station is and who to call (4-4444) if they discover a fire or smoke.

Plan of action - if required, please send me your next steps within two weeks unless otherwise indicated

Patient Information - All employees of OHSU must know that they cannot divulge patient information, including such details as discharge or appointment dates, even to those who appear official such as law enforcement officers, surveyors, etc. one or more of your staff were asked what they would do if asked for information by a police officer.

Plan of action - if required, please send me your next steps within two weeks unless otherwise indicated

Bathroom Rescue - Staff must be able to quickly access a locked restroom door in order to rescue someone in distress. In order to "pass" they must be able to open the door within three minutes.

Plan of action - if required, please send me your next steps within two weeks unless otherwise indicated

Pull Cords - In restrooms where there is an alarm pull cord, the cord must be accessible to someone lying injured on the floor. This means the cord cannot be wrapped around anything and must hang free to about six inches from the floor.

Plan of action - if required, please send me your next steps within two weeks unless otherwise indicated

Doors may not be propped, wedged or blocked open. This means there can be NO doorstops, wedges, kick down door stops, equipment, chairs or other items preventing doors from closing and latching. Doors cannot be tied open or latches taped over.

Plan of action - if required, please send me your next steps within two weeks unless otherwise indicated

Corridors, exits and exit discharges must clear of obstructions. All items must be on wheels and kept to one side of the hallway. The fire doors must be able to close and latch. As a general rule, if you can see an exit sign, there should be a clear path to that sign-NOT an obstacle course.

Plan of action - if required, please send me your next steps within two weeks unless otherwise indicated

Fire sprinklers must have an escutcheon or seal to cover the hole in the ceiling tile where the sprinkler is placed. Any found in need of repair or replacement will be reported to Facilities.