Resident Exposed to Chemical Hazard Due to Improper Storage of Cleaning Solution
Penalty
Summary
A housekeeper left a cup containing a pink toilet cleaning solution and a brush on the bedside table of a resident diagnosed with dementia and unable to make medical decisions. The cleaning solution was placed near the resident's drinking cup, making it accessible to the resident. The family member discovered the cleaning solution and reported it to the nurse, who confirmed the substance was a toilet cleaner. Interviews with staff, including a Licensed Vocational Nurse and the Housekeeping Supervisor, confirmed that cleaning chemicals should not be left in resident areas and should be properly secured. The facility's policy requires that cleaning supplies be maintained in a safe manner and stored away from resident areas. The housekeeper admitted to leaving the cleaning solution in the resident's room and acknowledged that it should have been stored in the proper storage area. This incident resulted in the resident being exposed to a chemical hazard, contrary to facility policy and expectations for resident safety.