Personal Items Placed on Clean Linen Cart Breaches Infection Control Protocol
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a certified nursing assistant (CNA) placed her personal hooded jacket and eyeglass case on top of a clean linen cart in Hallway A, which contained folded linen sheets and briefs. The CNA reported that her jacket sleeves became wet while giving a resident a bed bath, so she removed the jacket and placed it, along with her eyeglass case, on the clean linen cart before returning to care for the resident. This action was observed by a registered nurse (RN), who confirmed that personal items should not be on the clean linen cart and identified it as an infection control issue. Other staff, including another CNA, the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), the Administrator, and the Director of Nursing (DON), all acknowledged during interviews that personal items should not be placed on the clean linen cart and that this practice could present an infection control concern. The facility's infection control policy, last revised in June 2024, emphasizes maintaining a safe and healthy environment through effective infection control practices, including proper handling of materials and environmental safety. The incident was identified during observation, interview, and record review, and it was noted that the facility had residents with major infections on the halls, increasing the importance of strict adherence to infection control protocols. The presence of personal items on the clean linen cart was recognized by multiple staff members as a breach of these protocols.