Failure to Ensure Staff Competency in Sharps Disposal
Penalty
Summary
Licensed nurses and medication aides in the facility did not demonstrate the necessary competencies and skills to care for residents as required by their assessments and care plans. Specifically, staff were unable to properly identify when sharps containers were overfilled, as evidenced by an observation of an overfilled sharps container in the shower room that was still in use. Interviews revealed that nurses and aides had inconsistent knowledge regarding the correct fill line, responsibility for emptying sharps containers, and the procedures for safe disposal. Some staff believed containers should be changed when the lid could no longer close, while others relied on visual cues from the top of the container, and several were unaware of the manufacturer's fill line. The facility administrator and DON confirmed that there were no existing policies related to nursing competency or sharps disposal at the time of the survey. Staff training on sharps disposal was inconsistent, with some staff unable to recall when or if they had received such training. The lack of clear policies and comprehensive training led to confusion among staff about their responsibilities and the correct procedures for handling sharps containers, resulting in the observed deficiency.