Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections, in a universe of 95 residents (Residents 1 to 95), when:1. Laundry Staff 1 (LS 1) and the Housekeeping Lead (HL) did not follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the disinfectant (DS 1) used to disinfect soiled laundry carts and soiled laundry barrels. In addition, the facility staff did not clean and disinfect the clean linen carts located in the resident hallways. This failure had the potential to cause the development and transmission of communicable diseases (an illness or infection that can spread from one person to another, or from a surface to a person) and infections to residents.2. Resident 82 who had contact isolation precautions (a set of infection control practices used to prevent the spread of germs that are transmitted by direct or indirect physical contact with a resident or the resident's environment) in place was not provided dedicated or disposable equipment such as a blood pressure cuff (an inflatable band wrapped around a resident's arm-or sometimes a thigh or wrist-to measure the resident's blood pressure), thermometer (a device used to measure the resident's temperature), stethoscope (a medical instrument used by healthcare professionals to listen to the internal sounds of a resident's body) or pulse oximeter (a device that measures the oxygen saturation level of a resident's blood and their heart rate).3. Room [room number] for Residents' 36, 21, and 59 was found with the following: 1. Under the beds there were various items had accumulated, including blankets, pillows, urine-soaked towels, tissues, food wrappers, medicine cups, ice cream cups, Styrofoam cups, straws, and dirty utensils.2. The trash can was overflowing with waste. 3. The floor was visibly dirty, covered with crumbs, sticky substances, and scattered pieces of paper. These failures had the potential to cause cross-contamination (the unintentional physical transfer of harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi from one resident, object, or surface to another) and spread of infections to other residents, healthcare workers, and the wider Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) environment.Findings:
1. During a Laundry Services and Facility Cleaning and Disinfection observation and interview on December 3, 2025, from 11:54 AM to 1:56 PM with the Housekeeping Lead (HL), Laundry Staff 1 (LS 1), Environmental Services Director (ESD), Certified Nursing Assistants 3, 4, 5, and 6 (CNAs 3, 4, 5, and 6) and the Infection Preventionist (IP), the HL stated that each hallway had two dirty linen receptacles which were on a plastic frame with net bags holding plastic trash bags with a plastic lid on the top. The HL stated she was responsible for cleaning and disinfecting the dirty linen receptacles on the 400 hallway but did not clean and disinfect the clean linen carts, I think the CNAs do that. The HL stated she used a disinfectant (DS 1) on the hard plastic surfaces of the dirty linen receptacles and kept the surfaces wet for 10 minutes before wiping the surface down or letting it air dry. The HL stated she sprayed the mesh bags with the DS 1 but was unable to keep the mesh bags wet for 10 minutes and she was not aware of the directions for the DS 1 indicated to use on non-porous surfaces (a material that is sealed and does not have any tiny holes, pores, or crevices) only. The HL stated when the dirty linen receptacles got full (Laundry Staff-LS- monitored the hallways hourly) the LS emptied all the full containers into a big black barrel on wheels which they took back to the laundry. The big black barrel was brought into the dirty side entryway of the laundry room where the LS donned (to put on) gown, gloves and goggles and sorted the dirty laundry into the dirty linen barrels.
LS 1 joined the observation and interview and stated heavily soiled linen were rinsed and then put into the dirty sorting barrels. LS 1 stated the dirty linen was placed into the washing machines which were preprogramed for different laundry items and told the machine what detergent to use. LS 1 stated the inside of the washing machine was wiped down after each wash cycle with DS 1 which was a neutral disinfectant. LS 1 stated she let the spray set for a couple minutes and then wiped it off. LS 1 stated she did not keep the item wet for 10 minutes as she did not remember DS 1's time frame for disinfection. LS 1 stated the clean linens were loaded into the clean barrel which was disinfected with DS 1 at least once per shift as were the dirty sorting barrels and LS 1 stated she did not keep the barrels wet for 10 minutes. The barrel with clean linen was brought to the dryer and loaded into the dryer and LS 1 stated she cleaned the inside and outside of the dryer door with DS 1 but did not keep the surfaces wet for 10 minutes.
The ESD joined the observation and interview at 12:31 PM, the ESD stated that surfaces need to remain wet for 10 minutes and should not be wiped before the 10 minutes were up. Additionally, DS 1 should not be used on mesh bags. LS 1 stated the laundry baskets took the clean dry clothes from the dryer to the folding table and laundry baskets were disinfected with DS 1 twice a shift and the folding table was disinfected after each load of laundry had been folded, I did not keep these surfaces wet for 10 minutes. LS 1 stated the folded laundry was stacked back into the basket and covered and taken to linen closet on the 400 hallway where the CNAs access the clean linen closet and stocked the clean linen carts. The ESD stated it was the CNAs responsibility to disinfect the covered clean linen carts in the hallways but there was no set schedule on when they should be disinfected or with what. The ESD stated the IP should know.
At 1:41 PM CNAs 3, 4, 5, and 6 joined the Facility Cleaning and Disinfection observation and interview and stated they were not aware they were responsible for disinfecting the clean linen carts in the hallway and thought the housekeeping staff were disinfecting the clean linen carts.
At 1:56 PM the IP joined the observation and interview, the IP stated she thought the housecleaning staff disinfected the clean linen cart weekly and did not know no one was disinfecting the clean linen carts. The IP stated the LS were required to use the disinfectant (DS 1) per the manufacturer's instructions and keep the hard non-porous surfaces wet for 10 minutes before wiping down.
A review of the [Company Name] Neutral Disinfectant [DS 1] Reference Sheet, undated, indicated, Disinfection Performance in Institutions (.Nursing Homes.) . with a 10-minute contact time [the specific amount of time the product must remain visibly wet on a surface to effectively kill the pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) listed on its label], this product is effective against the following organisms on hard, non-porous surfaces: .
A review of the facility's policy and procedure (P&P) titled,Cleaning & Disinfection of Environmental Surfaces, dated January 25, 2025, indicated, . 2. Non-critical surfaces will be disinfected with an EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]-registered intermediate or low-level hospital disinfectants according to the label's safety precautions and use directions. a. By law, all applicable label instructions on EPA-registered products must be followed. 3. Devices that are used by staff but not in direct contact with residents (e.g., computer keyboards, PDAs, etc.) shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly (according to facility schedule) by the environmental services staff and as needed by the nursing staff. 4. Manufacturers' instructions will be followed for proper use of disinfecting (or detergent) products including: a. Recommended use-dilution; b. Material compatibility; c. Storage; d. Shelf-life; and e. Safe use and disposal. 6. A one-step process and an EPA-registered disinfectant designed for housekeeping purposes will be used in resident care areas where: a. uncertainty exists about the nature of the soil on the surfaces (e.g., blood or body fluid contamination versus routine dust or dirt); or b. uncertainty exists about the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms on such surfaces. 7. Housekeeping surfaces (e.g., floors, tabletops) will be cleaned on a regular basis, when spills occur, and when these surfaces are visibly soiled. 8. Environmental surfaces will be disinfected (or cleaned) on a regular basis and when surfaces are visibly soiled.
2. During an observation and interview with Resident 82 on December 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, a Contact Precautions sign, undated, posted outside Resident 82's room indicated, Contact Precautions Everyone Must: . use dedicated or disposable equipment. An isolation cart [a place to store contact precaution supplies] was located outside Resident 82's door with a sign posted to the isolation cart that indicated, Contact Isolation Precaution Cart Set-Up: . Disposable vital sign equipment . A review of the contents of the isolation cart indicated the top drawer contained two packages of instant ice pack, the second drawer contained isolation gowns, the third drawer contained more isolation gowns, the forth drawer contained two boxes of large exam gloves, and the fifth drawer contained two more boxes of large exam gloves. There was no indication of disposable or dedicated vital sign equipment. A review of the inside of Resident 82's room did not reveal disposable or dedicated vital sign equipment. Resident 82 stated the nurse brought the vital sign equipment into the room each day to take his vital sign readings.
During an interview with the Interim Director of Nursing (IDON) and the IP on December 1, 2025, at 11:20 AM, the IDON and the IP confirmed that Resident 82 lacked dedicated or disposable vital sign equipment, which should have been available.
A review of Resident 82's physician's order dated November 26, 2025, indicated, Order Summary: Contact isolation Carbapenem Resistant [a specific type of bacteria is not killed or inhibited by carbapenem antibiotics] Providencia Stuartii [a common bacterium found in the environment: soil, water, sewage] every shift for isolation precautions until [December 4, 2025] 23:59.
A review of the facility's policy and procedure (P&P) titled, Isolation - Categories of Transmission-Based Precautions, dated January 25, 2025, indicated, Policy Statement: Transmission-based precautions are initiated when a resident develops signs and symptoms of a transmissible infection; arrives for admission with symptoms of an infection; or has a laboratory confirmed infection; and is at risk of transmitting the infection to other residents. Policy Interpretation and Implementation: . 2. Transmission-based precautions are additional measures that protect staff, visitors and other residents from becoming infected. These measures are determined by the specific pathogen and how it is spread from person to person. The three types of transmission-based precautions are contact, droplet and airborne. 5. When a resident is placed on transmission-based precautions, appropriate notification is placed on the room entrance door and on the front of the chart so that personnel and visitors are aware of the need for and the type of precaution. A. The signage informs the staff of the type of CDC precaution(s), instructions for use of PPE, and/or instructions to see a nurse before entering the room. B. Signs and notifications comply with the resident's right to confidentiality or privacy. 6. When transmission-based precautions are in effect, non-critical resident-care equipment items such as a stethoscope, sphygmomanometer [blood pressure cuff], or digital thermometer will be dedicated to a single resident (or cohort [group] of residents) when possible.
3. During an observation on December 1, 2025, at 11:22 AM, in Room [room number], the room was found with the following:
1. Under the beds there were various items had accumulated, including blankets, pillows, urine-soaked towels, tissues, food wrappers, medicine cups, ice cream cups, Styrofoam cups, straws, and dirty utensils.
2. The trash can was overflowing with waste.
3. The floor was visibly dirty, covered with crumbs, sticky substances, and scattered pieces of paper.
During an interview on December 1, 2025, at 11:24 AM, with Resident 36, he stated the room had not been cleaned and the trash had not been removed for the past three days. Resident 36 further stated that due to his medications, which include diuretics (medications that increase the production of urine), he frequently urinates in towels because his urinal fills up quickly, and staff are not quick enough to dump it. Subsequently, he places these urine-soaked towels on the floor to avoid soiling his bed. Resident 36 further stated he uses tissues to wipe his nose and discards them on the floor due to the trash can being full and overflowing.
During an interview on December 1, 2025, at 11:26 AM with Resident 21, he stated, They did not clean my room for days now, look! pointing to the floor and under his bed.During an interview on December 1, 2025, at 11:28 AM, with Resident 59, he stated, Last time this room was cleaned was Friday morning. No one came to sweep and mop the floor over the weekend. Hopefully someone will come clean it today, but I haven't seen any housekeeper yet.
During an interview on December 1, 2025, at 11:30 AM with Certified Nurse Assistant 3 (CNA 3), CNA 3 stated room [room number] is dirty because the housekeeping staff did not clean the room and did not remove the trash over the weekend. CNA 3 further stated housekeeping had not been seen cleaning the room on the day of the interview either.
During an interview with the Environmental and Maintenance Services Director (EMSD) on December 2, 2025, at 9:20 AM, the EMSD acknowledged that the scheduled housekeeper did not clean the room this past weekend. The EMSD stated every room in the facility gets cleaned and moped at least once a day, sometimes multiple times depending on the residents' needs and housekeepers are expected to revisit and clean rooms that become messy throughout the day. The EMSD explained that the housekeeper 3 (HH 3) who is responsible for the cleanliness of rooms in 300-hall, was previously identified to have work performance deficiencies in the past and appropriate action was taken. The EMSD acknowledged that the room should have been cleaned and moped daily, and his expectations are that all housekeeping staff follow the daily cleaning schedule and facility's policy and procedures.
HH3 was not available for interview.
During an interview with the facility's Infection Preventionist (IP) on December 2, 2025, at 3:32 PM, the IP stated that her expectations are for the facility to be always maintained clean and for the staff to adhere to the daily cleaning schedule and follow facility's policies and procedures.
During an interview with the Operations Manager (OP) on December 3, 2025, at 1:58 PM, the manager specified that residents' rooms are required to be cleaned daily in accordance with the cleaning schedule and additionally as needed if they become dirty after the scheduled cleaning. The OP stated all staff must adhere to the facility's policies and procedures (P&P) to ensure a clean and sanitary environment for residents, staff, and visitors.
During a concurrent interview and record review on December 4, 2025 at 9:49 AM, with EMSD, the facility's P&P titled, Cleaning and Disinfection of Environmental Surfaces revised January 25, 2025, was reviewed.
The P&P indicated, Environmental surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected according to current CDC recommendations for disinfection of healthcare facilities and the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.1. The following categories are used to distinguish the levels of sterilization/disinfection necessary for items used in resident care and those in the resident's environment: . c. Non-critical items are those that come in contact with intact skin but not mucous membranes: c1. Non critical environmental services include bed rails, some food utensils, bedside tables, furniture and floors. 2. Non critical services will be disinfected with an EPA-registered intermediate or low-level hospital that's infected according to the label's safety precautions and use directions . 6. A one-step process and an EPA-registered disinfectant designed for housekeeping purposes will be used in resident care areas where: a. Uncertainty exists about the nature of the soil on the surfaces (e.g. blood or body fluid contamination versus routine dust or dirt); or b. Uncertainty exists about the presence of multidrug resistant Organism on such surfaces. 7. Housekeeping surfaces (e.g. Floors, tabletops) will be clean on a regular basis when spills occur and when these surfaces are visibly soiled. 8. Environmental surfaces will be disinfected (or cleaned) on a regular basis and when surfaces are visibly soiled . 10. Disinfecting (or detergent) solutions will be prepared as needed and replaced with fresh solution frequently .13. Spills of blood and other potentially infectious materials will promptly be cleaned and decontaminated. Blood containment items will be discarded in compliance with federal regulations (i.e. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard). 14. If the spill contains large amounts of blood or body fluids, the visible matter will be cleaned with disposable absorbent material, and the contaminated materials discarded in an appropriate, labeled container.
The EMSD acknowledged the facility's P&P were not followed when room [room number] was found with various items accumulated under the beds, including blankets, pillows, urine-soaked towels, tissues, food wrappers, medicine cups, ice cream cups, Styrofoam cups, straws, dirty utensils, trash can overflowing with waste, visibly dirty floor covered with crumbs, sticky substances, and scattered pieces of paper. The EMSD admitted the dirty conditions in room present infection control issues, particularly to vulnerable residents, and acknowledged that the cleanliness standards were not met according to facility's P&P.