Exeter Hospital Tech Had 'Open Lesions'

Failure to provide a sanitary environment
The hospital's semi-restricted corridors have perforated ceiling tiles that are not scrubbable and capable of withstanding cleaning and/or disinfecting chemicals. This led investigators to conclude that the hospital failed to "provide a sanitary environment to avoid sources and transmission of infections and communicable diseases."

Specifically, the report says Exeter failed by not developing and, or implementing policy and procedures following recognized standards for

1. "The cleaning and disinfecting of equipment between patient uses on five of seven distinct hospital areas."
2. "The appropriate gowning when entering the room of a patient on infection precaution in one of seven areas."
3. "The criteria for employees with potential infectious process for being able to work in direct patient care."
4. "For allowing an employee with draining wounds to participate in an environment where invasive procedures were being performed."

Plan of correction approved

Martin said that the hospital's plan of correction (PoC) has been approved.  The document includes a line-by-line detailed explanation from Exeter hospital officials specifying how the lapses have been or are being corrected.

"We will follow up at some point with an announced visit to verify that all of the corrective action set forth in the PoC has been implemented. I do not anticipate an enforcement action in this case," Martin said.