Mildew Found in Insulin Refrigerator in Med Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment in the Station 1 Med Room, specifically regarding the insulin refrigerator. During an observation, a puddle of water with a black, powdery, flat growth resembling mildew was found on the first shelf of the insulin fridge. LVN E confirmed that nursing staff are expected to check the cleanliness of the insulin fridge when monitoring its temperature, and acknowledged that the presence of mildew or mold could lead to contamination. The DON stated that med rooms and refrigerators should be organized, cleaned, and monitored every shift, and that nurses and med aides are responsible for cleaning the fridge when moisture builds up. Review of the facility's policy indicated that environmental services are to be regularly monitored and any issues corrected immediately, but the presence of mildew in the fridge demonstrated a failure to follow these procedures.