Failure to Secure Catheter Bag and Oxygen Tubing Compromises Infection Control
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to properly secure and maintain medical equipment for two residents, resulting in potential infection control deficiencies. For one resident with an indwelling urinary catheter, observations on two separate occasions revealed that the catheter drainage bag was lying on the floor without a cover or barrier. The resident required total assistance with bed mobility, toileting, and bathing, and was unable to complete a mental status interview. A nursing assistant confirmed that the catheter bag was on the floor and acknowledged it should not have been. For another resident receiving oxygen therapy, observations showed that the oxygen tubing and cannula were left lying on the floor in the resident's room while the oxygen concentrator was running. This resident had severe cognitive impairment and required extensive to total assistance with activities of daily living. A nursing assistant confirmed that the oxygen tubing and cannula were on the floor and should not have been. The facility's infection prevention and control policy requires all non-sterile items to be stored and maintained as clean, which was not followed in these instances.