Improper Handling and Cleaning of Bedside Commode and Waste
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to follow the facility’s infection prevention and control procedures for care and maintenance of a bedside commode on the second floor. During an observation in a resident room, a nurse aide (Employee E4) emptied a bedside commode by lifting out the urine collection basin and removing an unlabeled grey plastic bag that was dripping a reddish-colored liquid. The aide placed the bag into the urine collection basin, carried it into the resident’s bathroom, removed the bag from the basin, placed the bag into the resident’s bathroom trash can, and dumped the liquid into the toilet. The aide then filled the urine collection basin about halfway with water from the resident’s hand sink, dumped this water into the toilet, flushed, and returned the basin to the commode without a bag, stating she would need to get another bag. After removing her gloves and washing her hands, the aide took the plastic can liner out of the resident’s bathroom trash can, dropped a glove on the floor, and initially attempted to leave the room. When questioned about the glove on the floor, she returned, picked up the soiled glove with bare hands, placed it into the trash bag, and then took the bag to the soiled utility room, disposed of it in a large trash can, and washed her hands. The Unit Manager (Employee E3) and the Infection Preventionist (Employee E2) both stated that the aide’s actions did not follow facility infection control procedures, explaining that the soiled contents of the bedside commode, including the basin, should have been placed in a red biohazard bag, transported to the soiled utility room, emptied into the wall-mounted service sink, and cleaned with soap and water using the spray hose before being returned in a clean biohazard bag. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the aide did not follow facility infection control procedures.
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