Unsecured Personal Care Products Found in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when two bottles of hair products, belonging to former residents, were found unsecured on top of a dresser in a resident's room. The resident in question was a female with significant medical conditions, including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Dementia, Dysphagia, a traumatic subdural hemorrhage, and a tracheostomy. She was totally dependent on staff for all activities of daily living and was rarely or never understood, as indicated by her MDS assessment. The facility census also indicated that five residents were ambulatory, increasing the risk of access to unsecured items. During observation, the resident was unresponsive and resting in bed, with the hair product bottles clearly visible and accessible. Staff interviews revealed that personal hygiene products should be labeled, sealed, and stored in residents' drawers to prevent cross-contamination and reduce risk to wandering residents. However, the bottles were not stored according to these protocols, and the facility did not have a specific accident/hazards policy in place. The facility's Resident Rights policy emphasized the need for a safe environment, but this was not adhered to in this instance.