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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 112024757 - Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office
Site Address:
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
18300 Roscoe Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91328
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:8062
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 07/02/1992
Planning Guide: Health-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/21/1993
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361337561 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $750 | $0 | $750 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $750 | $0 | $750 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 5220 M02 A | 08/14/1992 | 06/24/1992 | $750 | $750 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
ON JUNE 18, 1992, A POSSIBLE LOW-LEVEL RELEASE OF ETHYLENE OXIDE GAS OCCURRED IN THE CENTRAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF NORTHRIDGE HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, WHEN A CENTRAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN OPENED THE DOOR TO AN ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZER CHAMBER THAT WAS OPERATING IN THE AIR-FLUSHING MODE. THE STERILIZER'S CYCLE HAD FINISHED; HOWEVER, THE CHAMBER'S END-OF-CYCLE BUZZER WAS NOT WORKING, CAUSING CENTRAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES TO FORGET ABOUT THE LOAD. CONSEQUENTLY, NO ONE HAD STOPPED THE STERILIZER AND TRANSFERRED THE LOAD TO THE AERATOR AT THE END OF THE CYCLE. WHEN THE STERILIZER WAS NOT STOPPED AT THE CYCLE'S END, IT AUTOMATICALLY STARTED FLUSHING THE STERILIZER CHAMBER WITH CLEAN AIR. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN AN EMPLOYEE ON THE NIGHT SHIFT OPENED THE STERILIZER DOOR WITHOUT HITTING THE RESET BUTTON TO STOP THE AIR FLUSH AND LET THE STERILIZER RETURN TO ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT CLEAN AIR WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE STERILIZER CHAMBER, IT IS LIKELY THAT LITTLE OR NO ETHYLENE OXIDE WAS PRESENT WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED.
Keywords: ETHYLENE OXIDE, ALARM, AIR CONTAMINATION, INATTENTION
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 112024757 | Non Hospitalized injury | Other | Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. |