Uncovered Soiled Linen Transported Through Common Areas
Penalty
Summary
A staff member was observed transporting soiled linen in an uncovered basket without a liner or bag through common areas of the facility, including the living room and dining room, where several residents were present. The staff member carried the uncovered linen outside and around the building to the laundry area, confirming during an interview that the basket was not covered or lined during transport. The staff member acknowledged awareness of the expectation to keep soiled linen covered for infection control purposes. Interviews with the infection control preventionist and a nursing assistant confirmed that facility policy requires all soiled linen to be transported in covered containers with a plastic liner, which should be cinched prior to transport. Both staff members reiterated the importance of covering dirty laundry during transport to prevent contamination, in accordance with the facility's updated Linen and Laundry policy. The failure to follow these procedures had the potential to impact all 19 residents in the facility.