Failure to Maintain Proper Urinary Catheter Bag Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow proper infection control practices regarding the storage of a urinary catheter drainage bag for one resident. Facility policy required that urinary catheter bags not be placed on the floor and that infection prevention and control procedures be followed. Medical record review showed the resident had significant physical and cognitive impairments, required substantial assistance with activities of daily living, and had an indwelling urinary catheter with orders for catheter care every shift. The resident's care plan also specified catheter care and monitoring for kinks in the tubing. During two separate observations, the resident's urinary catheter drainage bag was found stored directly on the floor, partially under the bed. An LPN confirmed the improper storage and acknowledged that the bag should not be on the floor to maintain infection control. The Interim DON also confirmed that staff were expected to keep catheter bags off the floor and that infection prevention and control practices were not maintained in this instance.