F0690

D

Failure to Provide and Document Proper Catheter Care Resulting in Meatal Injury and CAUTI

Eureka, California Survey Completed on 02-11-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Staff failed to provide appropriate urinary catheter care and monitoring for a male resident with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and diabetes mellitus who had an indwelling urinary catheter for urinary retention. The resident’s care plan identified the catheter and included a goal to be free from catheter-related trauma, with expectations that staff monitor, document, and report pain or discomfort and signs and symptoms of UTI to the physician. Orders were in place for insertion of an indwelling catheter and for catheter care starting on 1/4/26, and the MAR showed LNs documented catheter care every shift from 1/13/26 through 1/19/26. Earlier skin assessments and shower sheets documented no genital skin concerns, and the resident was documented as dependent for toileting hygiene, lower body dressing, and personal hygiene.

On 1/19/26, an OT noted drainage from the catheter site while assisting the resident with a transfer and observed that the catheter tubing was not secured to the resident’s thigh. The OT saw a large smear of yellowish drainage on the resident’s pants and the tip of the penis, and observed that the opening of the penis appeared split, which she reported immediately to nursing. Subsequent nursing assessment documented that the resident’s urethra was split down the middle, approximately 1/2 inch thick, with purulent green and yellow exudate inside the urethra and extending down the catheter tubing. The resident reported that the catheter hurt, that it had been like that “for a while,” and that he had pain in the area when moving or when catheter care was provided.

A skin assessment later that day identified a new, facility-acquired laceration on the urethra of the penis, measuring approximately 1.5 cm by 0.5 cm, with erythema, edema, increased exudate, and sharp pain. A UA and C&S subsequently showed turbid urine, 3+ leukocyte esterase, positive blood, positive nitrites, and many bacteria, with pseudomonas aeruginosa identified as the causative organism. An ED exam documented pus around the meatus, enlarged testicles with swelling, erythema, and tenderness, and diagnosed a UTI associated with the indwelling urethral catheter. The DON stated that CNAs were responsible for catheter care, including cleaning around the meatus, and confirmed there was no documented evidence in the EMR that CNAs had provided catheter care for this resident. The DON also acknowledged there was no documentation of use of a leg strap or other securement device for the catheter, despite facility policy and CDC guidance requiring securement and daily meatal assessment and cleaning. The physician stated the meatal tearing likely occurred in small increments over time and that the infection should have been detected by nursing staff given that foley care was ordered every shift.

Facility policies on indwelling catheters and pressure injury prevention required securement of catheters to the thigh and daily observation for signs of potential or active pressure injury related to medical tubes and catheters. CDC guidance referenced by the facility emphasized proper catheter securement to prevent urethral traction, daily meatal cleaning during bathing, and assessment of the meatus for redness, irritation, drainage, and encrustation. Despite these expectations, there was no evidence that catheter securement devices were used or documented for this resident, and no CNA documentation of catheter care was found. The failure of LNs and CNAs to provide and document appropriate catheter care, to secure the catheter, and to identify and report progressive meatal injury and infection resulted in a facility-acquired mucosal membrane injury to the urinary meatus and a severe UTI with pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with the indwelling catheter.