Failure to Maintain Infection Control in Shower Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain acceptable infection control practices in four shower rooms, as evidenced by multiple observations and staff interviews. In one shower room, a red drinking cup was found on the sink, which a licensed nurse confirmed was unsanitary and should not have been present. Another shower room was observed to have dark brown and black mold and mildew on the walls and flooring, which a certified nurse assistant stated had been an ongoing issue for several months. Additional observations revealed mold and mildew between tiles, dark mildew under a resident shower bed, and cracked tiles in another shower room, with staff confirming these conditions and acknowledging that they should have been addressed through more thorough cleaning. Environmental personnel and the housekeeping supervisor both confirmed the presence of mold and mildew in the shower rooms, noting that housekeeping was responsible for cleaning but that the problem was ongoing and known to facility management. The infection preventionist and administrator also acknowledged awareness of the unsanitary conditions, including the presence of a resident cup and mildew, and stated these could potentially expose residents to infectious diseases. A review of facility policies indicated that infection prevention measures and cleaning protocols were in place, but these were not followed as required, resulting in unsanitary conditions in the shower rooms.