Failure to Maintain Catheter Drainage Bags Off Floor and Covered
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control practices for residents with indwelling urinary catheters. Specifically, two residents with catheters were observed with their catheter drainage bags not covered in privacy storage bags and in direct contact with the floor. Facility policy requires that catheter drainage bags be kept off the floor and covered with a privacy storage bag to prevent infection. During observations, both residents' catheter bags were found lying on the floor without the required cover, and staff confirmed that this was not in accordance with infection control protocols. One resident had a history of cellulitis of the groin, acute and chronic respiratory failure, and was on hospice care, while the other had polyneuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and a urethral stricture, and was on enhanced barrier infection precautions due to a suprapubic catheter. Both residents' care plans indicated the use of indwelling catheters and the need for infection prevention measures. Staff interviews confirmed that the observed practices did not align with facility policy and increased the risk of infection.