Failure to Maintain Sanitary Storage of Respiratory Equipment and Linens
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to store respiratory equipment for four residents in a sanitary manner. Specifically, one resident's CPAP mask was draped over the CPAP machine without a clean barrier or sanitary container, another resident's CPAP mask was found on the floor next to the bed, and a third resident's nebulizer mask was hung from a thumb tack on a message board. Additionally, a fourth resident's nasal cannula was draped over a wheelchair without proper containment. These observations were made during a facility walkthrough and were confirmed by staff interviews, which revealed inconsistent knowledge and practices regarding the proper storage of respiratory equipment. The facility also failed to transport linens in a sanitary manner, as observed when laundry staff moved a covered linen cart with bath blankets placed on top, exposing them to potential contamination. Staff interviews indicated uncertainty and lack of clarity regarding the correct procedures for both respiratory equipment storage and linen transport. Furthermore, the facility did not provide a policy for respiratory equipment storage, although a policy for handling clean linen was available, which required clean laundry to be handled in a way that prevents contamination.