Health Dept. inspections finds hundreds of safety issues at Sharon Regional

May 7—SHARON — An inspection by the state Department of Health found hundreds of safety "deficiencies" and cases of "non-compliance" at Sharon Regional Medical Center's main hospital and other buildings, according to a report made public this week.

Findings in the 58-page report came from an inspection conducted over several days in March. It covered a range of building safety issues, which included improper sprinkler systems in certain areas, placing combustible materials in empty patient rooms, a leaky roof and failing to maintain emergency lighting.

The report delved into areas such as building safety, required safety inspections, reporting requirements, documentation and emergency plans. It didn't cover healthcare delivered by Sharon Regional.

In the report, the Health Department said Sharon Regional had corrected many of the deficiencies and was working on fixing the remainder.

Among the details given in the report was that a portion of the hospital's fifth floor was used for storage.

"There were multiple patient rooms being used to store various combustible items, such as bed frames with mattress, wheelchairs, general medical equipment, etc.," the report said.

The Health Department said Sharon Regional designated the area for storage without obtaining required regulatory approval.

"Additionally, the facility was using the floor as a repository for spare parts, including patient headwalls and other accessories," the report said. "Further observations displayed water damaged ceiling tiles in several locations, illustrating evidence of roof leaks."

Also, certain building areas failed to remain in compliance with sprinkler system requirements, the report said. A number of times Sharon Regional failed to have timely required inspections, such as for valves and pipe.

In certain areas, "Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to maintain emergency lighting, in accordance with regulations...." the report said.

Further, the report said, "The Regional Facilities Director was re-educated that life safety deficiencies need to be addressed immediately." The name of the facilities director wasn't given.

Multiple times in the report, the Health Department said Sharon Regional gave financial reasons for deficiencies, including a failure of the hospital to pay vendors.

In one example, the report said, "During the survey document review it was observed that the fire door repairs were not addressed following testing at the main campus due to vendor nonpayment. There was a change in the facilities manager position and the door repairs were not scheduled. The vendor has been paid and contacted to commence door repairs. Work is expected to begin by May 15."

The report made no mention of citations or fines levied against Sharon Regional. A Health Department spokesman couldn't immediately respond Tuesday to a Herald question of whether citations or fines were fines slapped on the healthcare provider.

A Sharon Regional spokesman did not have a response to the report by Tuesday evening.

Mercer County Commissioner Bill Finley Jr. is a firefighter and chief of East End Fire Department in Mercer.

In being given some details of the report, he said findings at the time of the inspection was very concerning.

"Some of these things are definitely alarming," Finley said. "But it isn't necessary uncommon. A facility may not realize the danger. That's why an inspection is done to make occupants aware of that."

Fining a business in these situations isn't the top priority, he said.

"It's more important in how they react to correct things," Finley said. "And it sounds like Sharon Regional is reacting properly to fix things."

In looking at one area of the report where Sharon Regional didn't have proper sprinklers in certain areas, he said not all sprinklers are alike.

"A sprinkler system has to be designed for the needs of the room it's in," he said.

As an example, he said sprinklers in hallways don't have to pump out huge amounts of water, but ones in warehouses do.

Finley noted that with Monday's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Sharon Regional's owner, Steward Health Care, the hospital's financial plight is hampering its ability to comply with safety regulations.

Bob Fiscus, who is both Sharon's city manager and fire chief, said he was unaware of the report or its details.

But after checking with Deputy Chief Nicholas Samson, Fiscus said the department had scheduled a meeting with Sharon Regional representatives Wednesday on the fire department's upcoming inspection of the hospital system.

Fiscus said the meeting was scheduled prior to the Health Department's release of its finding.

Sharon Regional has an advisory board, but it has no authority to impose policy on the hospital. Karen Winner Sed is chairwoman of the advisory board and said she was made aware of the report but didn't know any specific details.

"I can tell you safety and quality of care is the top priority of our advisory board," she said.