Failure to Follow Indwelling Catheter Care Protocols
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow its own indwelling catheter care policy for two residents with indwelling urinary catheters. For one resident, an older female admitted with dementia, acute kidney failure, and elevated white blood cells, a CNA was observed providing catheter care without wiping down the catheter from the insertion site. During an infection control interview, the Infection Preventionist stated that staff should wipe down the indwelling catheter from the insertion site to prevent infection. The facility’s written guidelines for indwelling catheter care require cleaning the peri area and at least four inches of the catheter, moving in one direction away from the body, using a fresh, soapy, wet washcloth for each swipe. For another resident, an older female admitted with neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder, anxiety, and malnutrition, the catheter tubing was observed under her leg without being secured with a stat lock. During a wound care observation, the wound care nurse stated that a stat lock should be on the resident’s thigh to prevent tension or tugging on the catheter and that the floor nurse is responsible for applying it. The facility’s guidelines for indwelling catheter care specify ensuring that tubing is not under the resident and that a leg anchor or stabilizer should be applied to prevent tugging on the catheter.
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