Failure to Disinfect Shared Medical Equipment Between Resident Use
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to clean and disinfect shared medical equipment, such as Hoyer lifts and vital sign machines, between resident use on both North and South hallways. On multiple occasions, staff were observed moving a Hoyer lift from one resident's room to the hallway and then to another room without disinfecting it. Similarly, a nurse assistant used a vital sign machine on one resident and then used the same machine on another resident without cleaning it in between. Disinfecting wipes were not available in isolation carts or in certain rooms, and staff were unable to locate or had not used disinfecting wipes on shared equipment during their shifts. Interviews with staff, including a LPN, CNAs, and the Infection Prevention Nurse, confirmed that the expectation was to disinfect shared equipment between uses, but this was not being followed. The lack of adherence to infection prevention and control guidelines was observed and confirmed through staff interviews and record review, resulting in noncompliance with regulatory requirements.