Failure to Remove Soiled Linen and Incontinent Brief from Resident's Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident who was dependent on staff for personal hygiene and activities of daily living was found to have dirty linen and a soiled incontinent brief left on top of the dresser and overbed table in their room. The resident had diagnoses including dementia with behavioral disturbances and Parkinson's disease, and was noted to have significant cognitive impairment, requiring substantial assistance for bed mobility, transfers, and was incontinent of bowel and bladder. Observations on the morning of the survey revealed that soiled items remained on furniture surfaces in the resident's room for at least ten minutes. During interviews, the assigned nurse aide explained that the soiled linen and brief were left on the furniture because the soiled linen cart was unavailable in the hallway, and acknowledged that the items should have been bagged and removed immediately. The Regional Nurse (LPN) confirmed that staff should never place dirty linens or incontinent briefs on furniture surfaces and that proper procedures were not followed. The facility was unable to provide a policy on infection control practices related to the disposal of soiled linens and incontinence supplies when requested.