Failure to Maintain Therapy Mat in Safe Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a therapy mat in safe operating condition for resident use in the rehabilitation gym. During an observation with the Director of Rehabilitation (DOR), five open tears and a detached black plastic protective border were found on the therapy mat. The DOR confirmed that therapy staff had not reported these issues to maintenance, and acknowledged that the tears could cause skin tears or irritation for residents using the mat. The DOR also stated that therapy staff attempted to clean the mat and its open tears with sanitizing wipes or alcohol sprays. The Infection Prevention Nurse (IP) stated that a torn therapy mat could not be effectively cleaned, as bacteria could enter the inside of the mat and the cleaning products used would not be effective on porous surfaces. The Director of Maintenance (DMN) confirmed there were no maintenance reports regarding the mat's condition, and emphasized that staff should report such issues. The Director of Nursing (DON) stated that therapy equipment should be safely maintained and that tears in the mat could cause injuries. Review of the facility's policy indicated that all resident care equipment must be kept in safe operating condition.