Failure to Clean and Disinfect Shared Wheelchair
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a sanitary environment for one of five sampled residents by not ensuring that a wheelchair used by the resident was clean. Observation revealed food particles on the right side of the wheelchair next to the resident's bed. Staff interviews confirmed that the wheelchair was shared among residents and was not cleaned or disinfected after each use, contrary to facility policy. The Restorative Nursing Assistant acknowledged that the wheelchair should have been cleaned and disinfected before and after each use, but this was not done. The resident involved had a history of Alzheimer's Disease and hypertension, with severely impaired cognitive skills and required significant assistance with daily activities, including transfers and hygiene. The facility's policy required reusable items, such as wheelchairs, to be cleaned and disinfected between residents, but this procedure was not followed. The Infection Preventionist also confirmed that staff were expected to use disinfectant wipes on the wheelchair before and after each use to maintain a sanitary environment and prevent infection.