Improper Placement of Urinary Catheter Drainage Bag
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter, who was receiving prophylactic antibiotics for recurrent urinary tract infections, was observed with improper catheter drainage bag placement on multiple occasions. On one occasion, the drainage bag was seen hanging on the side of the bed with about two inches of the bag resting on the bare floor. On another occasion, the drainage bag was observed hanging under the resident's wheelchair, with about an inch of the bag touching the floor. In both instances, the urine in the tubing was noted to be dark yellow with sediment. The resident involved had a history of stroke, diabetes, and renal insufficiency, and was assessed as moderately cognitively impaired. Facility staff, including the Corporate Clinical Support Nurse, confirmed that no part of an indwelling catheter should be in contact with the floor. The facility's policy on indwelling catheters also required adherence to professional standards of practice, which were not followed in these observed instances.