cms_GA: 1137
Data source: Big Local News · About: big-local-datasette
| rowid | facility_name | facility_id | address | city | state | zip | inspection_date | deficiency_tag | scope_severity | complaint | standard | eventid | inspection_text | filedate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1137 | RIVERSIDE HEALTH CARE CENTER | 115375 | 5100 WEST ST NW | COVINGTON | GA | 30014 | 2017-08-17 | 441 | E | 0 | 1 | I6YR11 | Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to handle laundry in a manner to prevent cross-contamination. Specifically, soiled and clean laundry were comingled in an outdoor area unprotected from the elements. The census was 147. Findings include: Observation on 8/17/17 at 10:08 a.m. revealed laundry was processed in a separate building behind the main facility. The doors to both the clean and soiled laundry areas were propped open. The entrance to the soiled laundry area was through a screened-in porch and observation revealed soiled laundry was stored on the porch outside the building. The tour of this area revealed it included a large uncovered cloth bin, half-filled with soiled clothing. A plastic barrel filled with soiled linen was also stored in this area, the cover to the bin had a large open hole for staff to fill the container without touching the cover. Multiple pillows were on a table touching the screening on the back wall of the porch. In the area between the soiled linen tub, barrel, and shelf with pillows, was another large tub containing clean, neatly folded blankets. The cloth bins used to transport clean laundry were stained or worn, and contained paper and plastic waste. During an interview on 8/17/17 at 10:17 a.m. with contract Laundry/Dietary Aide (DA) DD said barrels and bins kept outside on the screened porch were never covered because this was considered part of the soiled area. She stated the pillows observed on the table (as well as additional pillows in plastic bags) were also soiled. She stated the pillows either came from hospitals or another nursing home that was evacuated approximately 3 months earlier due to a bad storm. She confirmed the pillows were all waiting to be thrown away, and she did not know why the pillows had not been immediately disposed of if they were soiled and could not be cleaned/reused. DA DD said because the soiled laundry was stored on the screened porch, Stuff sitting out in this area can get wet when there is rain or a storm. She confirmed the uncovered tub of blankets contained clean laundry, which because of the stained or worn condition, was being used for housekeeping purposes such as cleaning and stripping floors in the facility. DA DD stated she did not know why this clean laundry was being stored in the soiled laundry area, and confirmed that clean laundry should not be stored in the soiled area due to the potential for cross-contamination. DA DD revealed the two large red laundry carts, one located in the room with the three commercial washers and one in the room with the three commercial dryers, were empty and ready to be used to transport clean clothes from the washers to the dryers. She confirmed there was debris in the bottom of both laundry carts and identified the debris as bits of paper, bits of plastic and a paper towel which appeared to have been laundered. DA DD stated the bits of plastic may have come from the plastic laundry bags used by residents and staff to transport soiled clothing and things such as wash cloths from their bedrooms prior to being placed in soiled linen carts. Interview on 8/17/17 at 10:35 a.m. with the Staff Educator (who was a Registered Nurse) revealed she oversaw the facility's Infection Control program. She confirmed clean laundry should not be stored with soiled items, and stated she was not aware of infection control problems in the laundry area prior to surveyor intervention. | 2020-09-01 |