Failure to Use Appropriate Disinfectants for C. diff Infection Control
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow proper infection prevention and control procedures for a resident admitted with enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection. Housekeeping staff did not use the appropriate disinfectant for cleaning the resident's contact precaution room. Instead of using the Sani-Cloth Germicidal Disposable Wipe/Bleach, which is effective against C. diff spores, the Housekeeping Aide used pink Ecolab Smartpower Sink and Surface sanitizer and purple Oasis 499 Disinfectant Cleaner, neither of which are indicated as effective against C. diff. The Sani-Cloth disinfecting wipes were not available on the housekeeping cart, and the Housekeeping Aide confirmed she only used the spray solutions and not the recommended wipes. Additionally, a Registered Nurse did not consistently use the appropriate disinfectant for medical devices between resident use. The nurse reported using Clorox wipes with a white top, which were found to be bleach-free, rather than a bleach-based disinfectant as required for C. diff precautions. The facility's policy specifies that environmental cleaning in rooms of residents with C. diff should be done with an EPA-registered germicidal agent effective against C. diff spores, such as bleach-based products. Observations and interviews confirmed that the recommended disinfecting agents were not used as per policy.