Failure to Follow Approved Catheter Care Procedures
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) failed to follow approved procedures for urinary catheter care for a resident with a history of urinary tract infection, urine retention, and hydronephrosis. The resident had a physician's order for a 16 French urinary catheter with a 10 ml balloon and required catheter care every shift and as needed. During an observation, the CNA donned personal protective equipment, placed a barrier under the graduated cylinder, emptied the urinary drainage bag, and wiped the tip of the spout with a wet wash cloth before returning it to the holder. Upon interview, the CNA confirmed that the correct procedure was to clean the urinary bag spout with an alcohol pad, as outlined in both facility policy and state CNA procedure regulations, but admitted to using soap and water instead. The facility's policy and resource documents specified the use of an alcohol wipe for cleaning the spout after emptying the bag. This failure to adhere to established infection control procedures constituted the deficiency.