Infection Control Deficiencies in Hand Hygiene and Laundry Services
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to implement adequate infection control practices, specifically regarding hand hygiene and laundry services. Observations revealed that dietary staff delivering clean laundry to resident rooms did not sanitize their hands before or after each delivery. Additionally, a CNA was observed wiping a resident's buttock with gloved hands and, without changing gloves or performing hand hygiene, proceeded to place a clean brief on the resident. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that hand hygiene was expected before and after entering resident rooms and when handling laundry, but these practices were not consistently followed. The facility's own hand hygiene policy, which aligns with CDC guidelines, was not adhered to during these observed events. Further observations in the laundry area showed improper separation of clean and dirty items, with a dirty linen cart placed against the clean linen folding counter and non-linen items stored on the clean linen processing area. The environment was also found to be unsanitary, with a dusty bar of soap hanging from the ceiling and dirty air conditioning vents blowing towards the clean linen counter. Staff interviews indicated that each department was responsible for cleaning its own area, but there was no facility policy provided regarding laundry processing or maintaining the cleanliness of the laundry area.