Unlabeled Urinals Found in Resident Room Breach Infection Control
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement and follow proper infection prevention practices when two unlabeled urinals were observed on the nightstand next to a resident's bed. During an observation, it was noted that the urinals were not labeled with any identifying information such as a name, initials, or room number. This was confirmed by a licensed nurse, who acknowledged that urinals should be labeled to prevent use by other residents and to avoid cross contamination. The nurse further stated that using a urinal belonging to another resident could cause infection and illness. The infection preventionist and the assistant director of nursing both confirmed that the presence of unlabeled urinals did not meet the facility's infection control expectations and was considered unsanitary. Facility policies reviewed indicated that maintaining a clean, sanitary, and orderly environment is required, and that infection control practices must support prevention and transmission of infection. The failure to label urinals as required was identified as a breach of these policies.