Failure to Cover Catheter Drainage Bags as Required by Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate treatments and services for residents with indwelling urinary catheters, as required by facility policy and state regulations. Specifically, observations revealed that three residents with physician orders for indwelling urinary catheters were found in bed with their catheter drainage bags uncovered, contrary to the facility's Continence Care Program and Indwelling Catheter Management policy, which requires drainage bags to be covered for dignity. These findings were confirmed through staff interviews, including with registered nurses and a licensed practical nurse, who acknowledged that the drainage bags were not covered as required. The residents involved had significant medical histories, including diagnoses such as hypertension, obstructive uropathy, Parkinson's disease, hyperlipidemia, Alzheimer's disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Despite these conditions and the presence of indwelling urinary catheters per physician orders, the facility did not ensure that the drainage bags were covered during the survey observations. The Director of Nursing confirmed the failure to provide appropriate treatments and services for the use of indwelling urinary catheters for these residents.