Improper Handling of Soiled Incontinent Pads During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program related to the handling of soiled incontinent pads for one resident. The resident was an older adult with dementia, severely impaired cognition, limited functional range of motion in both arms and legs, and was care planned as incontinent of bowel and bladder. Video review on three separate dates showed the same unidentified CNA providing incontinent care at the resident’s bedside and, during each episode, throwing a used disposable pad onto the floor instead of handling it according to infection control practices. The videos documented that during incontinent care, the CNA repeatedly discarded wet and/or soiled pads by throwing them onto the floor beside or behind her. The facility’s Infection Preventionist stated that soiled or wet pads should be placed in a clear plastic bag and sent to the laundry or utility closet, and that placing such items on the floor constituted an infection control issue, especially if contaminated with urine or feces. The facility’s written policy on Linen and Laundry Procedures required sanitary processing and storage of soiled linen and the use of universal/standard precautions by all personnel handling soiled linen. The observed staff actions were inconsistent with these stated procedures and expectations.
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