Uncovered Laundry Cart During Clean Linen Delivery
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control practices during the delivery of clean laundry. During observation, a laundry aide was seen transporting an uncovered laundry cart with clean clothes exposed while delivering to residents inside the facility. The laundry aide stated that while she covered the cart when transporting laundry from the outside laundry building, she was not required to keep it covered once inside the facility. This practice was inconsistent with the facility's policy, which requires clean linen to remain covered to protect it from environmental contamination. Interviews with the DON, Housekeeping Supervisor, and Administrator confirmed that the expectation was for clean laundry to be covered at all times during transport, both inside and outside the building, to prevent cross-contamination. The facility's policy also specified that clean linen should be protected from environmental contaminants by keeping carts covered. The failure to follow these protocols was observed and acknowledged by facility leadership.