Improper Commode Bucket Covering Breaches Infection Control
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's commode bucket was found covered with a blanket instead of a proper lid. The resident, who had been admitted with pain in the right knee and difficulty walking, reported that staff had not provided a commode with a lid and instead used a blanket to cover the bucket. This was confirmed during observation and interviews with both the resident and unlicensed staff, who acknowledged that using a blanket in this manner was unsanitary and not in line with infection control practices. Further interviews with the Infection Preventionist and the Minimum Data Set coordinator confirmed that covering the commode bucket with a blanket was not acceptable, as it could lead to cross contamination and infection. The facility's infection control policy, which aims to maintain a safe and sanitary environment, was not followed in this instance. The blanket used to cover the commode was considered contaminated and posed a risk for the spread of bacteria.