Soiled Linens and Curtains Not Maintained Clean Under Infection Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its infection prevention and control program to ensure linens and environmental surfaces, including shower and privacy curtains, were maintained clean and free of visible soil. During an observation in the North shower room at 10:24 a.m., a shower curtain was noted with black stains and discoloration on the bottom; the Director of Housekeeping and Laundry (DHL) acknowledged it needed to be removed and washed. At 10:28 a.m., in the Medically Complex Unit shower room, another shower curtain was observed with brown stain discoloration, and the DHL again stated the curtain needed to be removed and washed. At 10:20 a.m., in the North clean linen closet, a linen item folded on the shelf and ready for resident use was observed with a visible stain mark, which the DHL stated should not be present and that the item needed to be discarded. At 10:52 a.m., in a resident’s room, the Infection Preventionist Nurse (IP) observed and acknowledged a brown streak stain on the resident’s privacy curtain, stating it should not have a stain, needed to be replaced, and that it was an infection control issue. Later, the Director of Nursing (DON) stated that clean linens in the clean linen closet, resident privacy curtains, and shower curtains should be clean and free from stain marks, and that the expectation is to maintain a clean and homelike environment and prevent the spread of infection, consistent with the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Policy requiring a safe, sanitary environment with cleaning, disinfection, and linen handling procedures.
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