Failure to Maintain Clean and Sanitary Tube Feeding Equipment
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's tube feeding (TF) pole and equipment were observed to be coated with a dried white substance and greasy smears, indicating a lack of proper cleaning and maintenance. The resident, who has intact cognition and a history of depression, anxiety, chronic respiratory failure requiring oxygen, and head and neck cancer with all nutrition provided via a PEG tube, was found to have TF equipment that was visibly soiled on multiple occasions. Observations revealed the dried substance on the entire surface of the pole and all five legs of the base, as well as greasy smears on the front programming screen of the TF machine. Interviews with nursing staff, including an LPN and an RN, confirmed that it was the responsibility of nursing staff to clean the TF equipment if spills or visible soil were present. Both staff members acknowledged the equipment was not being cleaned as expected, with the RN describing the condition as 'horrible' and attributing the residue to TF solution not wiped up after use. The resident and their spouse also reported that the equipment was consistently dirty and that they had never seen staff clean it. The DON confirmed the expectation for staff to clean the equipment and recognized the issue as a concern for infection control and resident dignity. The facility's policy on environmental cleaning of patient care equipment was requested but not provided.