Infection Control Deficiencies in Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a clean environment for residents, as evidenced by observations of dusty fans and improperly stored oxygen tubing. Resident #41, who has a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome and other health issues, was observed with a fan blowing directly on him that was covered in dust. Despite multiple observations over consecutive days, the fan remained uncleaned, and the resident confirmed that no one had cleaned it. The Director of Nursing and the Administrator acknowledged the lack of a specific policy for cleaning fans, and the facility's generalized cleaning policy did not specify who was responsible for this task. Resident #42, who is oxygen-dependent, was found with oxygen tubing hanging over a wheelchair without being stored in a bag to prevent cross-contamination. The Director of Nursing admitted there was no policy for storing respiratory equipment properly. Additionally, Resident #54, who requires respiratory treatments, was observed with a dusty fan blowing on him and a urine catheter bag improperly hanging on a trash bin. The Infection Control Nurse indicated that the nurse should have addressed the urinal immediately, but this was not done.