Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center

“FIRE SAFETY An annual Life Safety recertification survey was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division on 05/15/2024. At the time of this survey, North Pine Medical Center was found not in compliance with the requirements for participation in Medicare/Medicaid at 42 CFR, Subpart 483.70(a), Life Safety from Fire, and the 2012 edition of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code (LSC), Chapter 19 Existing Health Care and the 2012 edition of NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code. THE FACILITY’S POC WILL SERVE AS YOUR ALLEGATION OF COMPLIANCE UPON THE DEPARTMENT’S ACCEPTANCE. YOUR SIGNATURE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST PAGE OF THE CMS-2567 FORM WILL BE USED AS VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE. UPON RECEIPT OF AN ACCEPTABLE POC, AN ONSITE REVISIT OF YOUR FACILITY MAY BE CONDUCTED TO VALIDATE THAT SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS HAS BEEN ATTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR VERIFICATION. PLEASE RETURN THE PLAN OF CORRECTION FOR THE FIRE SAFETY DEFICIENCIES (K-TAGS) TO: IF PARTICIPATING IN THE E-POC PROCESS, A PAPER COPY OF THE PLAN OF CORRECTION IS NOT REQUIRED. Healthcare Fire Inspections State Fire Marshal Division 445 Minnesota St., Suite 145 St. Paul, MN 55101-5145, OR By email to: FM.HC.Inspections@state.mn.us THE PLAN OF CORRECTION FOR EACH DEFICIENCY MUST INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: 1. A detailed description of the corrective action taken or planned to correct the deficiency. 2. Address the measures that will be put in place to ensure the deficiency does not reoccur. 3. Indicate how the facility plans to monitor future performance to ensure solutions are sustained. 4. Identify who is responsible for the corrective actions and monitoring of compliance. 5. The actual or proposed date for completion of the remedy. North Pine Medical Center CAH is a one story building original year of construction 1959, with additions in 1970 and 2003. The original building and additions are all Type II(111) construction. The hospital is properly separated from the newly constructed clinic and existing nursing home. The building is fully sprinkler protected. The facility has a complete fire alarm system with smoke detection in the corridors and spaces open to the corridor, that is monitored for automatic fire department notification. The facility has a licensed capacity of 16 beds and had a census of 3 at the time of the survey. The requirements at 42 CFR, Subpart 483.70(a), are NOT MET as evidenced by:”

“Hazardous Areas - Enclosure CFR(s): NFPA 101 Hazardous Areas - Enclosure Hazardous areas are protected by a fire barrier having 1-hour fire resistance rating (with 3/4 hour fire rated doors) or an automatic fire extinguishing system in accordance with 8.7.1 or 19.3.5.9. When the approved automatic fire extinguishing system option is used, the areas shall be separated from other spaces by smoke resisting partitions and doors in accordance with 8.4. Doors shall be self-closing or automatic-closing and permitted to have nonrated or field-applied protective plates that do not exceed 48 inches from the bottom of the door. Describe the floor and zone locations of hazardous areas that are deficient in REMARKS. 19.3.2.1, 19.3.5.9 Area Automatic Sprinkler Separation N/A a. Boiler and Fuel-Fired Heater Rooms b. Laundries (larger than 100 square feet) c. Repair, Maintenance, and Paint Shops d. Soiled Linen Rooms (exceeding 64 gallons) e. Trash Collection Rooms (exceeding 64 gallons) f. Combustible Storage Rooms/Spaces (over 50 square feet) g. Laboratories (if classified as Severe Hazard - see K322) This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45748 Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain hazardous storage rooms per NFPA 101 (2012 edition), Life Safety Code, sections 19.3.2.1.3 and 7.2.1.8.1. These deficient finding could have a patterned impact on the residents within the facility. Findings include: On 05/15/2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm, it was revealed by observation that the area next to the transformer in the kitchen storage contained combustible materials. These materials must be removed, and no further storage item can be placed in this area marked with tape. An interview with the Director of Maintenance verified these deficient findings at the time of discovery.”

“Fire Alarm System - Testing and Maintenance CFR(s): NFPA 101 Fire Alarm System - Testing and Maintenance A fire alarm system is tested and maintained in accordance with an approved program complying with the requirements of NFPA 70, National Electric Code, and NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Records of system acceptance, maintenance and testing are readily available. 9.6.1.3, 9.6.1.5, NFPA 70, NFPA 72 This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45748 Based on a review of available documentation and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain the fire alarm system per NFPA 101 (2012 edition), Life Safety Code, section 9.6.1.3, and NFPA 72 (2010 edition), National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code section 14.2.1.2.2. These deficient findings could have a patterned impact on the residents within the facility. Findings include: On 05/15/2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm, it was revealed by a review of available documentation that the annual fire alarm inspection report dated 05/31/2023 that the facility provided at the time of the survey did not show that the sensitivity testing had been completed. An interview with the Director of Maintenance verified these deficient findings at the time of discovery.”

“Sprinkler System - Maintenance and Testing CFR(s): NFPA 101 Sprinkler System - Maintenance and Testing Automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems are inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintaining of Water-based Fire Protection Systems. Records of system design, maintenance, inspection and testing are maintained in a secure location and readily available. a) Date sprinkler system last checked _____________________ b) Who provided system test ____________________________ c) Water system supply source __________________________ Provide in REMARKS information on coverage for any non-required or partial automatic sprinkler system. 9.7.5, 9.7.7, 9.7.8, and NFPA 25 This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45748 Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain spacing between storage and the sprinkler system per NFPA 101 (2012 edition), Life Safety Code, Section 9.7.5, NFPA 25 (2011 edition), Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, Section 5.2.1.2, and NFPA 13 (2010 edition), Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, Sections 8.6.5.3.2 and 8.15.9. These deficient findings could a patterned impact on the residents within the facility. Findings include: On 05/15/2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm, it was revealed by observation that storage materials had been placed on a storage rack, bringing the storage materials within the required 18 inch clearance area under the sprinkler heads. These obstructions were found in 330A Lab Area and Low level storage area. An interview with the Director of Maintenance verified these deficient findings at the time of discovery.”

“Subdivision of Building Spaces - Smoke Barrie CFR(s): NFPA 101 Subdivision of Building Spaces - Smoke Barrier Construction 2012 EXISTING Smoke barriers shall be constructed to a 1/2-hour fire resistance rating per 8.5. Smoke barriers shall be permitted to terminate at an atrium wall. Smoke dampers are not required in duct penetrations in fully ducted HVAC systems where an approved sprinkler system is installed for smoke compartments adjacent to the smoke barrier. 19.3.7.3, 8.6.7.1(1) Describe any mechanical smoke control system in REMARKS. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45748 Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain their smoke barrier per NFPA 101 (2012 edition), Life Safety Code, sections 19.3.7.1, 19.3.7.3, 8.5.2.2, and 8.5.6.5. These deficient findings could have a widespread impact on the residents within the facility. Findings include: On 05/15/2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm, it was revealed by observation that there was a penetration running from one smoke compartment to another above doors by Chapel door An interview with the Director of Maintenance verified these deficient findings at the time of discovery.”

“Fire Drills CFR(s): NFPA 101 Fire Drills Fire drills include the transmission of a fire alarm signal and simulation of emergency fire conditions. Fire drills are held at expected and unexpected times under varying conditions, at least quarterly on each shift. The staff is familiar with procedures and is aware that drills are part of established routine. Where drills are conducted between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, a coded announcement may be used instead of audible alarms. 19.7.1.4 through 19.7.1.7 This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45748 Based on a review of available documentation and staff interview, the facility failed to conduct fire drills under varied times and conditions per NFPA 101 (2012 edition), Life Safety Code, sections 19.7.1.6, 4.7.4, and 4.6.1.1. This deficient finding could have a widespread impact on the residents within the facility. Findings include: On 05/15/2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm, it was revealed by a review of available documentation that fire drills did not meet the varying time requirement. An interview with the Director of Maintenance verified these deficient findings at the time of discovery.”

“Electrical Systems - Maintenance and Testing CFR(s): NFPA 101 Electrical Systems - Maintenance and Testing Hospital-grade receptacles at patient bed locations and where deep sedation or general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. Additional testing is performed at intervals defined by documented performance data. Receptacles not listed as hospital-grade at these locations are tested at intervals not exceeding 12 months. Line isolation monitors (LIM), if installed, are tested at intervals of less than or equal to 1 month by actuating the LIM test switch per 6.3.2.6.3.6, which activates both visual and audible alarm. For LIM circuits with automated self-testing, this manual test is performed at intervals less than or equal to 12 months. LIM circuits are tested per 6.3.3.3.2 after any repair or renovation to the electric distribution system. Records are maintained of required tests and associated repairs or modifications, containing date, room or area tested, and results. 6.3.4 (NFPA 99) This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45748 Based on a review of available documentation and staff interview, the facility failed to conduct the electrical testing and maintenance per NFPA 99 Standards for Health Care Facilities 2012 edition, section 6.3.3.2, 6.3.4.1.3, and 6.3.4.2.1.2. This deficient finding could have a widespread impact on the residents within the facility. Findings include: On 05/15/2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm, it was revealed by review of available documentation the required annual receptacle inspection documentation was not available at the time of the survey. An interview with the Director of Maintenance verified these deficient findings at the time of discovery.”

“Electrical Equipment - Power Cords and Extens CFR(s): NFPA 101 Electrical Equipment - Power Cords and Extension Cords Power strips in a patient care vicinity are only used for components of movable patient-care-related electrical equipment (PCREE) assembles that have been assembled by qualified personnel and meet the conditions of 10.2.3.6. Power strips in the patient care vicinity may not be used for non-PCREE (e.g., personal electronics), except in long-term care resident rooms that do not use PCREE. Power strips for PCREE meet UL 1363A or UL 60601-1. Power strips for non-PCREE in the patient care rooms (outside of vicinity) meet UL 1363. In non-patient care rooms, power strips meet other UL standards. All power strips are used with general precautions. Extension cords are not used as a substitute for fixed wiring of a structure. Extension cords used temporarily are removed immediately upon completion of the purpose for which it was installed and meets the conditions of 10.2.4. 10.2.3.6 (NFPA 99), 10.2.4 (NFPA 99), 400-8 (NFPA 70), 590.3(D) (NFPA 70), TIA 12-5 This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45748 Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain the usage of electrical adaptive devices per NFPA 99 (2012 edition), Health Care Facilities Code, sections 10.5.2.3.1 and 10.2.4.2.1, NFPA 70, (2011 edition), National Electrical Code, sections 400-8, and UL 1363. This deficient finding could have an isolated impact on the residents within the facility. Findings include: On 05/15/2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm, it was revealed by observation that there were several electrical appliances plugged into a power strip in Director of Nursing Office. An interview with the Director of Maintenance verified these deficient findings at the time of discovery.”

“LIFE SAFETY FROM FIRE CFR(s): §485.623(c) Standard: Life Safety From Fire (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section: (i) The CAH must meet the applicable provisions and must proceed in accordance with the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 and Tentative Interim Amendments TIA 12-1, TIA 12-2, TIA 12-3, and TIA 12-4.) (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, corridor doors and doors to rooms containing flammable or combustible materials must be provided with positive latching hardware. Roller latches are prohibited on such doors. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 42587 Based on observation, interview and document review, the critical access hospital (CAH) was found to be out of compliance with Life Safety Code requirements. These findings have the potential to affect all patients in the hospital. Findings include: Please refer to the Life Safety Code inspection tags: K0321, K0345, K353, K372, K712, K914, and K920 for additional information.”