FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, N.C., has been placed on immediate jeopardy status following an investigation into an operating room fire, according to a Fayetteville Observer report.
In June, vapor from sterilizing fluid ignited during an emergency surgery, causing first- and second-degree burns to the patient's neck and shoulders, but no permanent injuries, according to the report. While the flash fire was immediately extinguished, a survey by the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation determined OR staff "failed to ensure a patient's health and safety" and did not follow established fire safety prevention policies and procedures, according to the report.
The hospital was put on immediate jeopardy status Aug. 1, meaning it is at risk for losing funding from CMS. FirstHealth has implemented a corrective action plan, including changes to OR procedure, and will submit the plan to CMS this week, the report stated.
Gretchen Kelly, administrative director for public relations at FirstHealth, told The Fayetteville Observer that the hospital expects its plan to be approved and for CMS to remove its immediate jeopardy status by the end of the month.
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