Expired Infection Control Supplies Found on PPE Carts
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to establish and maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by the presence of expired sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer on PPE carts designated for residents on enhanced barrier precautions. During observations, surveyors found multiple instances of expired bleach wipes and hand sanitizer in resident care areas and storage, with expiration dates ranging from the previous year to several years prior. Staff were seen replacing expired products only after surveyor observation, and there was no evidence of a systematic process for checking or removing expired items from use. Interviews with staff, including a nurse schedule coordinator, a registered nurse, a housekeeper, the director of nursing, and the nursing home administrator, revealed a lack of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of expired infection control products and uncertainty about who was responsible for monitoring expiration dates. The facility's infection control policy required regular evaluation and enforcement of proper infection control practices, but staff were unable to demonstrate adherence to these requirements, resulting in the continued availability and use of expired infection control supplies.