Failure to Maintain Infection Control During Dining and Linen Handling
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control practices as evidenced by staff not performing hand hygiene during meal service and improper storage of soiled linens. Specifically, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) was observed assisting multiple residents with meal tray setup, including handling food items and straws with bare hands, and did not perform hand hygiene between resident interactions or before handling additional meal trays. These actions were observed during several consecutive resident meal setups, contrary to the facility's hand hygiene policy, which requires staff to clean their hands between resident contacts and after handling potentially contaminated items. Additionally, soiled linens and clothing were observed left on the floor in a resident's room at multiple times throughout the day. The resident involved had severe cognitive impairment and required assistance with activities of daily living. Facility policy states that soiled linens should be collected at the point of use and placed in a designated receptacle, and should not be left on the floor or in the resident's room. Staff interviews confirmed that these practices were not followed, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged that both hand hygiene and proper linen handling procedures were not maintained.