Infection Control Deficiencies in Linen and Equipment Handling
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple infection control deficiencies during their review of the facility. Clean linens, including towels, washcloths, and a bed sheet, were observed placed on top of a personal protective equipment (PPE) cart in the hallway, rather than being stored in a sanitary manner. In one instance, soiled linen was found on the floor of a resident's room. Additionally, respiratory equipment such as a nebulizer mask and nasal oxygen tubing were not stored properly; the nebulizer mask was left on a bedside table and the nasal cannula was thrown on top of an oxygen canister at the bottom of a resident's bed, rather than being kept in a clean, dated plastic bag as required by facility policy. Further deficiencies were observed in the handling of blood glucose monitoring equipment. A licensed nurse was seen placing the Accu-Check machine directly onto various surfaces, including a medication cart, a shower room counter, and the arm of a Broda chair, without using a barrier as required. Staff interviews confirmed that these practices were inconsistent with facility infection control policies, which mandate the use of barriers for equipment and proper storage of linens and respiratory devices to prevent contamination.