• Infection control (keeping the facility and equipment clean)
  
• Staffing (having adequately trained, qualified staff)
  
• Preparation for complications (emergency supplies, arrangements for ambulance and hospital)
  
• Other medical safety issues (maintaining proper medications, properly monitoring patients, adequate documentation of patient care/condition)

And an autoclave is a piece of equipment used to sterilize medical instruments before surgery or other treatment. Pay attention to how RELSCO cared for the autoclave.

Among the deficiencies cited in May 1979 inspections:

• no lavatory or handwashing sinks in exam rooms
  
• sinks in patient care areas not able to be shut off without using hands
  
• no tracheotomy set available
  
• no transfer agreement with hospital
  
• no job descriptions for nursing staff
  
• employee files lacking resumes of training and experience
  
• urinalysis not performed prior to surgery
  
• no written infection control measures
  
• scrub sink area "in need of a thorough cleaning"
  
• no system for patients to summon attendant
  
• drugs not stored safely
  
• excessive temperature in area where oxygen and nitrous oxide tanks were stored
  
• 24-hour waiting period for abortions not adhered to

Banchongmanie's corporation which owned the clinic, RELSCO, did not make the corrections required by the state, but instead asked for a waiver that would allow the facility to operate as-is. (Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction 3-3-79, 3-7-79)

Next, how good a job Banchongmanie did of bringing his facility up to code for 1980 inspections.

Previous articles

Like this link graphic? Click here to learn how to add it to your web page.

View the Cemetery of Choice Calendar