An inspection of Grady Memorial Hospital following the death of a patient found problems with sprinkler systems, access to exits, electrical wiring and other safety concerns – issues hospital officials say have already been fixed.
Federal regulators called for the full, unannounced inspection of the aging facility following the Sept. 6 death of a patient who fell out of an 11th-floor window that was supposed to be locked.
Sprinklers in need of upgrades, open electrical boxes and smoke barriers not up to fire resistance standards were among the issues identified by inspectors last month, according to a federal investigative report released Tuesday.
“Every single issue identified in the report has already been resolved,” said Grady’s new CEO John Haupert, emphasizing that inspectors found no remaining medical care issues.
Grady’s financial difficulties over the years have resulted in some building maintenance being put off and left a lot for the facility team to catch up on, he said. The hospital – which cut more than 200 jobs and consolidated two neighborhood clinics this year – is still facing a nearly $20 million shortfall so far this year.
Grady’s chief financial officer told corporate board members Monday that building improvements and extra staffing would take a financial toll in the next couple of months.
Grady has spent roughly $2 million in upgrading the facility and hiring extra staff following the death of 60-year-old Gloria Shavers. An earlier report by inspectors showed the hospital did not have enough staffing to provide Shavers -- who had been showing signs of confusion -- with the one-on-one attention a doctor had ordered. The neurological unit Shavers was on also had 20 of 21 shifts understaffed from Sept. 1 to Sept. 7.
Since the incident, 10 to 12 more sitters have been hired to make sure they are available at any given time, Haupert said. Sitters watch patients to ensure their health and safety.
When inspectors returned for the follow-up survey, they checked every doctor’s order requiring a sitter and made sure it was met, Haupert said. On average, the hospital has 25 patients with sitters, he said.
Each of Grady’s 566 operable windows – 21 of which were found unlocked -- were also checked, closed and locked immediately after the incident.
Grady is required to submit a plan to correct the facility maintenance problems identified in the most recent report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal health-care regulator, within 10 days. A follow-up inspection will be conducted.
If the problems aren’t fixed, the hospital could have its Medicare funding cut off on Jan. 25, according to a letter from the federal regulator sent on Monday. Haupert said he is not concerned about Grady losing its funding because the problems have already been resolved and its plan will reflect that.
Grady’s board is dedicated to ensuring Grady doesn’t fall into disrepair, Haupert said. It has developed a 7-year, $56 million maintenance plan to ensure the facility has the most current and up-to-date chillers, boilers and other equipment, he said.
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