Infection Control and Laundry Sanitation Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to establish and maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by incomplete infection surveillance documentation and unsanitary conditions in the laundry areas. Review of the Monthly Infection Control Logs for April 2025 showed that critical information such as cultures, dates obtained, organism types, and antibiotic resistance status was missing for 35 of 37 infections. The Infection Control Preventionist acknowledged that the log was not fully completed and confirmed that all sections should have been accurately filled out. Observations of the Clean and Dirty Laundry Rooms revealed multiple sanitation and maintenance issues. Clean linens were improperly stored on top of a linen cart instead of inside it, and wet towels used to clean up a leaking washer were placed on a clean storage rack. The clean storage shelf was soiled and dusty, with employee gowns placed on top of clean towels. The floor was dirty, sticky, and littered with tissues and paper towels. The washer was leaking a white fluid and had visible rust and buildup, while the wall base was cracked and missing sections. In the Dirty Laundry Room, the sink was soiled with residue, a pipe above the sink was leaking water down the wall, and the wall had holes and broken sections. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of these issues and that they had been reported to supervisors, but the problems persisted.