Failure to Anchor Suprapubic Catheter to Statlock
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with a suprapubic urinary catheter was observed to have the catheter tubing not anchored to the statlock device on their right thigh. The statlock, which is intended to secure the catheter and prevent movement or accidental dislodgement, was present but not utilized as required. This observation was confirmed by both a Licensed Vocational Nurse and the Director of Long Term Care, who stated that all urinary catheters should be anchored to prevent movement and potential complications. The resident involved had a history of unspecified dementia, hypertension, and the presence of a suprapubic catheter, and required varying levels of assistance with activities of daily living. Physician orders and facility policy both specified that indwelling catheters should be properly secured after insertion to minimize movement. Despite these directives, the catheter was not anchored, as observed during the survey, and this was acknowledged by facility staff during interviews.