Foley Catheter Drainage Bag Found Touching Floor During Resident Transport
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with a suprapubic urinary catheter was observed multiple times with their foley catheter drainage bag attached to the back of their wheelchair, dragging on or touching the floor as the wheelchair was moved. The resident had diagnoses including congenital stricture of the urethra, obstructive and reflex uropathy, and urinary retention, and required moderate assistance for personal hygiene, dressing, and transfers. The resident's care plan and physician orders specified interventions for catheter care, including keeping the drainage bag below the level of the bladder and off the floor, but these were not followed during the observed periods. The facility's policy on urinary catheter care directed that catheter tubing and drainage bags be kept off the floor and handled with clean technique. Despite these requirements, the drainage bag was repeatedly seen touching the floor during several observations. The Infection Control Preventionist confirmed that the drainage bag should not be dragging or touching the floor and that staff responsible for the resident's care should ensure proper positioning of the drainage bag throughout the shift.