Failure to Clean and Disinfect Mechanical Lift After Resident Use
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to clean and disinfect a mechanical lift and its sling after resident use, as observed during two separate transfer events. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) were seen rolling the mechanical lift to the end of the hallway without performing any cleaning or disinfection after use. In one instance, a CNA picked up an unwiped sling with bare hands and carried it down the hall, leaving it exposed to the air. These actions were directly observed and confirmed by staff interviews, where CNAs acknowledged that the equipment was not cleaned after use and recognized the importance of proper cleaning to prevent infection. Interviews with the Unit Manager and the Director of Nursing confirmed that facility policy and manufacturer instructions require cleaning and disinfecting the mechanical lift and accessories after each use and before storage. Facility documentation, including the mechanical lift user manual and relevant policies, specify that equipment must be cleaned with soap and water or a hard surface disinfectant prior to storage and before use on another resident. Despite these clear guidelines, staff did not follow the required procedures, resulting in a failure to maintain infection prevention and control standards.