Failure to Maintain Infection Control Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by multiple observed lapses in infection control practices. During a tour of the 100 hall shower room, surveyors found a soiled washcloth under the sink, a used hand wipe and candy wrapper on the floor, and an open bottle of soap left on the shower bar. These items were left unattended in a resident care area, indicating a lack of proper cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, trash barrels in the hallway were found to be overfilled with soiled briefs, preventing the lids from closing completely, which contributed to unpleasant odors in resident areas. Staff were observed transporting soiled linen through the hallway while wearing soiled gloves, contrary to infection control protocols. One staff member admitted to not knowing the correct procedure due to filling in for absent staff, while another confirmed that soiled linen should be bagged before being brought into the hall and that soiled gloves should not be worn in the hallway. A resident reported that the overfilled barrels left in the hallway caused unpleasant smells that made them feel nauseated. These observations demonstrate a failure to adhere to established infection control procedures, with the potential to affect more than an isolated number of residents.