Inspection poses potential threat to UMC accreditation

An inspection of University Medical Center could pose a threat to the hospital’s accreditation.

ABC-7 has obtained a copy of an inspection report by a Joint Commission Resource Consultant who visited the hospital May 12th through 14th.

The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

The report runs four pages, listing 48 separate deficiencies in ten categories.

Ten of the deficiencies were in the “Infection Control” category. It covers things from replacing stained ceiling tiles and patching holes in walls to keeping food and drinks out of patient care areas and removing “dust bunnies” from resuscitation carts.

Instruments with dried blood and tissue contaminated sinks that were later used for final rinsing of instruments that were supposed to be clean..

In one instance, employees were unable to verbalize a proper cleaning process, and offered differing procedures.

Several training and record-keeping areas were also noted.

A UMC spokesman told ABC-7 the hospital was given 23 days to correct problems, such as the way it documents the sterilization of instruments in the operating room.

Ryan Mielke said there was never any risk to patients.

El Paso County Commissioner David Stout told ABC-7 he is confident the issues will be resolved.

“I think it’s important for people to know that doesn’t mean the hospital has been shut down,” he said. “It doesn’t mean they will stop providing services anytime soon. They have 23 days to remedy the situation and I think they are definitely capable of doing that. UMC is a top notch hospital. It is disappointing to me. It is unfortunate.”

Mielke said UMC has hired an outside company to help them address the deficiencies pointed out by the inspector.