Improper Positioning of Indwelling Catheter Drainage Bag
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in catheter care when a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter and a history of frequent UTIs was observed sitting in the dining room in a wheelchair with a leg drainage bag attached high on the top of the thigh, positioned above the level of the bladder and without slack in the tubing, which did not allow gravity to aid urine drainage. On a subsequent interview, a CNA stated that urinary catheter drainage bags should be kept below the waist to prevent UTIs/infections. The resident’s care plan indicated the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter and the need for the drainage bag and tubing to be maintained below the level of the bladder, and the facility’s catheter care policy likewise stated that drainage bags should be located below the level of the bladder to discourage backflow of urine. Despite these documented requirements, the drainage bag was not maintained below bladder level for this resident.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.