Failure to Monitor and Document Laundry Water Temperatures for Infection Control
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prevent the spread of infection for all 91 residents by not ensuring accurate and consistent monitoring of washing machine hot water temperatures. Staff responsible for recording the temperatures on the Washer Water Temperature Log admitted to not actually measuring the water temperature, but instead were instructed by previous supervisors to write down 160 degrees Fahrenheit daily, regardless of the actual temperature. Additionally, staff reported that they had not received training on how to properly monitor or document the water temperature. Further review revealed that the laundry hot water temperature was only recorded Monday through Friday, with no monitoring occurring on weekends. The Maintenance Supervisor confirmed that there were no existing policies or procedures for monitoring the washing machine temperatures, and that accurate temperature checks are important for regulatory compliance and infection control. These lapses in monitoring and documentation had the potential to affect all residents in the facility.