Failure to Maintain Catheter Tubing Off the Floor for Resident with Indwelling Catheter
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the care of a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter, who had diagnoses including neurogenic bladder and diabetes mellitus. Over a four-day review period, multiple observations were made of the resident sitting in a wheelchair with 6 to 7 inches of catheter tubing resting on or dragging across the floor in various locations throughout the facility, including the dining room, hallways, and at the nurses' station. These observations were consistent across several days and times, indicating a persistent issue. Staff interviews revealed that facility staff expected catheter tubing to be kept off the floor, with one CNA stating that the tubing should be placed in a dignity bag and clipped to the resident's leg to prevent it from touching the floor. However, the facility's catheter care policy did not provide specific direction regarding the placement of catheter tubing off the floor. The resident's care plan included a goal to prevent urinary tract infections, and the resident had a recent history of a UTI, as evidenced by a positive urine culture and antibiotic treatment.