Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review it was determined the facility failed to ensure staff performance of basic infection control measures, follow appropriate infection control management of biohazard waste and storage of clean supplies and handling linens in a safe and sanitary manner. This was evident for 1 out of 1 dual surveyor observation of the facility's warehouse storage, and during an observation of the clean and soiled laundry processing rooms.
The findings include:
1.) On [DATE] at 10:22 AM the surveyor observed Activities Assistant (AA) #22 throw their personal cell phone onto Resident #18's bed and proceed to unlock the resident's furniture with a key. At this time, the surveyor conducted an interview of AA #22 who confirmed that the cell phone placed on Resident #18's bed was their personal cell phone. At this time, the surveyor shared the concern with AA #22.
On [DATE] at 9:01 AM the surveyor conducted an interview with the facility's Director of Nursing who acknowledged and confirmed understanding of the surveyor's concern and reported to the surveyor that they had provided training to AA #22 and that AA #22 was rushed, moving fast with what they needed to do and didn't think about it when they put their phone on the resident bed.
2.) During review of complaint #2714840 the surveyor requested and conducted a dual surveyor observation of the facility's warehouse storage building on [DATE] at 11:09AM with the facility's Director of Maintenance #14 and Assistant Director of Maintenance #24 who unlocked the facility's warehouse for observation. The surveyors observed the following in addition to other concern(s):
a.) Biohazard waste managed in an area with additional biohazard bags present and open boxes of medical gloves, with the boxed bio hazard waste stacked against and with boxes of clean medical supplies,
b.) An opened box of drinking cups and an opened box of cup lids stored on the floor near to a plastic container of used belongings which included a wheelchair arm rest which was worn and cracked,
c.) Lancets, medical tape and various expired syringes present in the warehouse environment with various boxes stacked around with no separation of clean vs dirty supplies/stored items, and d.) Boxed medical supplies to include gloves, packages of incontinence briefs, and wound cleanser and dressing supplies were stored directly on the floor.
At this time, surveyors conducted an interview of the Director of Maintenance who reported to the surveyors that the warehouse was used for everybody to put stuff in and that the warehouse was additional storage. When surveyors inquired as to who had access to the warehouse at any given time, they stated: the central supply lady, housekeeping, and dietary. At this time surveyors shared their concerns.
On [DATE] at 1:30 PM the surveyor conducted an interview of Infection Preventionist (IP) #4 who confirmed with the survey team that the conditions identified by surveyors regarding the storage of supplies and the management of biohazard waste was not acceptable and stated: Biohazard waste should never be where there are clean gloves and clean items. IP #4 confirmed with the surveyor that after surveyor intervention, they went out to the warehouse with Director of Maintenance #14 and Assistant Director of Maintenance #24 to ensure the conditions were taken care of, and reported that things were separated, a call was made to the bio hazard company to have the boxed waste removed, and staff had come in early to address the warehouse environment.
3.) On [DATE] at 1:25PM, an observation of the clean laundry processing area, in the presence of Environmental Services Manager (EVS) #23 and the District EVS Manager, revealed an uncovered metal linen cart which contained facility white blankets on the top, first shelf piled high and leaning on the wall, white towels and white washcloths on the second shelf, a small pile of white fitted sheets on the third shelf, and piles of white and cream colored thicker blankets on the bottom shelf, close to the floor. There was an uncovered white laundry basket with a pile of clean Resident laundry, which was unfolded, overflowing, and leaning against the wall. The surveyor inquired about the pile of Resident laundry and EVS #23 informed the surveyor that that pile was unidentified Resident laundry. The surveyor and EVS #23 identified 3 additional uncovered, unfolded, containers of unidentified resident laundry which were located under the folding tables. One container was overflowing and laundry items were touching the floor. EVS #23 and the District Manager of EVS acknowledged the overwhelming amount of unidentified Resident laundry. The surveyor expressed the concern that the Residents' personal garments and linens and the facility linens were not maintained in a safe and sanitary manner. The surveyor was informed that all clean linen should be covered, kept off the wall and floor, and stored in a manner to prevent contamination.
On [DATE] at 1:35PM, an observation of the soiled laundry processing area, in the presence of EVS #23 and District EVS Manager revealed:
a.) Five, unlined, 32 gallon (approximate) trash bins lined up along the wall. Three were overflowing with unbagged resident laundry items and facility linens piled high and touching the wall. One was filled with bagged resident laundry and facility linens.
b.) One white 13 gallon (approximate) laundry bin lined up along the wall overflowing with unbagged resident laundry items and facility linens, piled high and touching the wall.
c.) One 55 gallon (approximate) yellow trash bin full of unbagged white facility linen.
d.) One black utility tilt truck half full of bagged resident laundry and facility linen.
e.) An odorous soiled utility room.
EVS #23 and District EVS Manager confirmed the surveyor's findings and concerns for infection control. The surveyor was informed that the laundry facility was currently operating with 1 out of 2 washing machines, which has increased the amount of soiled laundry sitting in the soiled laundry processing area. The facility is currently in the process of getting the inoperable washing machine repaired in order to manage the high volume of soiled laundry. The District EVS Manager informed the surveyor that they are working on implementing new systemic approach to managing laundry services within the facility to ensure infection control practices are followed, resident garments and linens are collected and labeled accurately to decrease the unidentified resident laundry, and ensure clean and soiled laundry is stored, handled, and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.
The findings include:
1.) On [DATE] at 10:22 AM the surveyor observed Activities Assistant (AA) #22 throw their personal cell phone onto Resident #18's bed and proceed to unlock the resident's furniture with a key. At this time, the surveyor conducted an interview of AA #22 who confirmed that the cell phone placed on Resident #18's bed was their personal cell phone. At this time, the surveyor shared the concern with AA #22.
On [DATE] at 9:01 AM the surveyor conducted an interview with the facility's Director of Nursing who acknowledged and confirmed understanding of the surveyor's concern and reported to the surveyor that they had provided training to AA #22 and that AA #22 was rushed, moving fast with what they needed to do and didn't think about it when they put their phone on the resident bed.
2.) During review of complaint #2714840 the surveyor requested and conducted a dual surveyor observation of the facility's warehouse storage building on [DATE] at 11:09AM with the facility's Director of Maintenance #14 and Assistant Director of Maintenance #24 who unlocked the facility's warehouse for observation. The surveyors observed the following in addition to other concern(s):
a.) Biohazard waste managed in an area with additional biohazard bags present and open boxes of medical gloves, with the boxed bio hazard waste stacked against and with boxes of clean medical supplies,
b.) An opened box of drinking cups and an opened box of cup lids stored on the floor near to a plastic container of used belongings which included a wheelchair arm rest which was worn and cracked,
c.) Lancets, medical tape and various expired syringes present in the warehouse environment with various boxes stacked around with no separation of clean vs dirty supplies/stored items, and d.) Boxed medical supplies to include gloves, packages of incontinence briefs, and wound cleanser and dressing supplies were stored directly on the floor.
At this time, surveyors conducted an interview of the Director of Maintenance who reported to the surveyors that the warehouse was used for everybody to put stuff in and that the warehouse was additional storage. When surveyors inquired as to who had access to the warehouse at any given time, they stated: the central supply lady, housekeeping, and dietary. At this time surveyors shared their concerns.
On [DATE] at 1:30 PM the surveyor conducted an interview of Infection Preventionist (IP) #4 who confirmed with the survey team that the conditions identified by surveyors regarding the storage of supplies and the management of biohazard waste was not acceptable and stated: Biohazard waste should never be where there are clean gloves and clean items. IP #4 confirmed with the surveyor that after surveyor intervention, they went out to the warehouse with Director of Maintenance #14 and Assistant Director of Maintenance #24 to ensure the conditions were taken care of, and reported that things were separated, a call was made to the bio hazard company to have the boxed waste removed, and staff had come in early to address the warehouse environment.
3.) On [DATE] at 1:25PM, an observation of the clean laundry processing area, in the presence of Environmental Services Manager (EVS) #23 and the District EVS Manager, revealed an uncovered metal linen cart which contained facility white blankets on the top, first shelf piled high and leaning on the wall, white towels and white washcloths on the second shelf, a small pile of white fitted sheets on the third shelf, and piles of white and cream colored thicker blankets on the bottom shelf, close to the floor. There was an uncovered white laundry basket with a pile of clean Resident laundry, which was unfolded, overflowing, and leaning against the wall. The surveyor inquired about the pile of Resident laundry and EVS #23 informed the surveyor that that pile was unidentified Resident laundry. The surveyor and EVS #23 identified 3 additional uncovered, unfolded, containers of unidentified resident laundry which were located under the folding tables. One container was overflowing and laundry items were touching the floor. EVS #23 and the District Manager of EVS acknowledged the overwhelming amount of unidentified Resident laundry. The surveyor expressed the concern that the Residents' personal garments and linens and the facility linens were not maintained in a safe and sanitary manner. The surveyor was informed that all clean linen should be covered, kept off the wall and floor, and stored in a manner to prevent contamination.
On [DATE] at 1:35PM, an observation of the soiled laundry processing area, in the presence of EVS #23 and District EVS Manager revealed:
a.) Five, unlined, 32 gallon (approximate) trash bins lined up along the wall. Three were overflowing with unbagged resident laundry items and facility linens piled high and touching the wall. One was filled with bagged resident laundry and facility linens.
b.) One white 13 gallon (approximate) laundry bin lined up along the wall overflowing with unbagged resident laundry items and facility linens, piled high and touching the wall.
c.) One 55 gallon (approximate) yellow trash bin full of unbagged white facility linen.
d.) One black utility tilt truck half full of bagged resident laundry and facility linen.
e.) An odorous soiled utility room.
EVS #23 and District EVS Manager confirmed the surveyor's findings and concerns for infection control. The surveyor was informed that the laundry facility was currently operating with 1 out of 2 washing machines, which has increased the amount of soiled laundry sitting in the soiled laundry processing area. The facility is currently in the process of getting the inoperable washing machine repaired in order to manage the high volume of soiled laundry. The District EVS Manager informed the surveyor that they are working on implementing new systemic approach to managing laundry services within the facility to ensure infection control practices are followed, resident garments and linens are collected and labeled accurately to decrease the unidentified resident laundry, and ensure clean and soiled laundry is stored, handled, and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.