F0880

D

Improper Storage of DME and Lift Equipment in Contaminated Out-of-Order Shower Room

Idaho Falls, Idaho Survey Completed on 03-19-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program related to the storage and handling of residents’ durable medical equipment (DME). The facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program and Plan, revised 6/2/25, required appropriate storage, cleaning, disinfection, and/or disposal of supplies and equipment to reduce risks associated with procedures, medical equipment, and medical devices. Resident #71, admitted with multiple diagnoses including atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and hypertension, was observed on 3/16/26 operating her power wheelchair on the 200 Hall. Later that morning, the 200 Hall shower room, which was marked Out of Order, was observed to have a thick dirty black ring inside the toilet bowl, a dirty brown substance on the floor and walls, and used paper towels on the back of the toilet and on the sink. In this same Out of Order shower room, Resident #71’s power wheelchair was stored, with an open box of cereal in the bag attached to the back of the wheelchair and a Hoyer lift sling placed in the seat, along with a resident lounge shower chair. On subsequent observations, a Hoyer lift and a bariatric shower chair were also found stored in this Out of Order shower room on the 200 Hall. On 3/19/26, the Infection Preventionist stated that staff should not be storing resident equipment in the Out of Order shower room on Hall 200.

These observations demonstrated that the facility did not follow its own IPCP requirement for appropriate storage and handling of DME and related equipment, as resident mobility devices and shared lift and shower equipment were stored in a visibly dirty, Out of Order shower room, contrary to the facility’s stated infection control methods.