Improper Storage of Resident Care Items Compromises Infection Control
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control practices by not storing resident care items such as wash basins, bedpans, and urinals in a sanitary manner. Multiple observations revealed that these items were left uncovered and unlabeled in shared bathrooms, including being placed on grab bars, the floor, and other unsanitary locations. For example, a Wound Care Nurse was seen cleaning a resident's open wounds and then leaving a wet, uncovered wash basin on a grab bar in a shared shower. Additionally, an uncovered, unlabeled urinal was observed hanging from the grab bar behind a toilet in the same shared bathroom. Further observations in other shared bathrooms showed similar issues, with uncovered and unlabeled bedpans and urinals stored on grab bars, between the wall and grab bars, and on the floor. Residents reported that staff were responsible for placing these items in unsanitary locations and expressed concerns about the cleanliness and appropriateness of the storage. The Infection Preventionist confirmed that staff were trained to label and properly store these items in plastic and in residents' nightstands, but these procedures were not followed as observed.