Improper Garbage Disposal and Open Dumpsters Create Unsanitary Conditions
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to properly dispose of garbage and refuse, including residents’ personal trash and food-related waste, in the designated dumpster area. During an observation outside near the parking area, surveyors noted scattered trash on the ground, including used masks, gloves, baby/sanitary wipes, and a trash bag filled with residents’ personal trash containing used diapers with a brown substance. The dumpster containers were left open and overfilled, with trash bags piled up to the top. The Infection Preventionist (IP) stated that nursing staff were expected to place trash in designated barrels, and that CNAs and/or housekeepers should take the filled barrels to the dumpster at the end of each shift or when full, to minimize spills and prevent cross contamination. The IP confirmed that trash scattered on the ground and a trash bag lying next to the open dumpsters were residents’ personal trash, including briefs that appeared to contain stool. From a conference room window facing the dumpster area, the IP again confirmed the presence of a trash bag filled with residents’ trash on the ground next to two open dumpsters, as well as scattered PPE and other trash from residents’ personal refuse. The IP stated that Maintenance was responsible for checking the front of the facility but was unsure if they were also responsible for the back dumpster area, which served as the main trash area. Dietary staff reported that they emptied trash into the dumpster outside the double doors of the kitchen, using their own bins for recycling and trash, and that these bins were placed outside the kitchen door rather than inside. This indicated that multiple departments, including nursing, housekeeping, and dietary, were using the same dumpster area where the unsanitary conditions were observed. The Dietary Services Manager (DSM), observing the same area, confirmed that masks and gloves were on the ground by the dumpster and stated that nursing, housekeeping, central supply, and all departments used the dumpsters and should keep the lids closed to prevent the spread of infection. The Maintenance Director (MS) acknowledged seeing trash, including gloves and masks, on the ground and confirmed that the dumpsters had been left open, stating this was not correct practice for infection control and that city regulations required dumpsters to be kept closed. Review of the facility’s policies showed that food-related garbage and refuse were to be stored in a manner inaccessible to pests, with outside dumpsters kept closed and free of surrounding litter, and that the Infection Prevention and Control Program was a facility-wide effort to provide a safe, sanitary environment and prevent the development and transmission of infections. These observations and statements demonstrate that the facility did not maintain the dumpster area in a sanitary condition or follow its own policies for garbage and refuse disposal for a census of 115 residents.
Penalty
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Surveyors found that the dumpster area was not maintained in a clean and sanitary manner, with both dumpster lids left open, one side door open, and a pile of discarded gloves, straws, plastic bottles, and wrappers on the ground beside a dumpster. A dietary manager confirmed these conditions during the observation, and the issue was cited as a failure to properly dispose of garbage and refuse, with the potential to affect all residents.
Improperly contained trash and recycling were observed in the dumpster area. Multiple unbroken cardboard boxes and about 20 wet boxes were left on the ground near the dumpsters, with some blown across the parking lot and against the fence. Trash, including latex gloves and unknown debris, had also accumulated near the air conditioning units. The Administrator stated the facility did not have a recycling dumpster and staff had been placing boxes on the ground outside the dumpster area.
The facility failed to keep the dumpster area clean and sanitary. Surveyors observed two dumpsters overflowing with trash piled about two to three feet high, and three of the four dumpster lids were open. A DM later verified the findings. The facility census was 107.
Surveyors observed that the dumpster area was not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, with loose rubbish found around and under the stairs leading to the dumpster. The Administrator confirmed that maintenance was responsible for weekly cleaning after the dumpster was emptied, in accordance with facility policy. This lapse had the potential to impact all residents.
Surveyors found that garbage bags containing soiled briefs, gloves, wipes, plasticware, and food were left on the ground around dumpsters with open lids and doors, allowing raccoons to access and scatter the waste. A resident and an LPN confirmed the ongoing issue with raccoons tearing open the bags, and it was noted that the facility lacked a policy for maintaining a sanitary dumpster area.
Surveyors observed that the dumpster area was not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, with significant debris such as used gloves, food containers, and a damaged cardboard box scattered around. The grease barrel was also left open with a stock pot of water on top. These conditions were confirmed by a dietary aide and had the potential to affect all 104 residents.
Unsanitary Dumpster Area and Improper Refuse Disposal
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to improper disposal of garbage and refuse when they observed the facility’s dumpster area. During an observation conducted in the afternoon, both garbage dumpsters were found with their top lids open, and one dumpster also had its side door open. Additionally, there was a visible pile of discarded items, including gloves, straws, plastic bottles, and wrappers, on the ground beside one of the dumpsters. At the time of the observation, the Dietary Manager confirmed the condition of the dumpster area as seen by the surveyor. The deficiency was cited as a failure to maintain the dumpster area in a clean and sanitary manner, with the potential to affect all 73 residents in the facility, and was investigated under the specified complaint number.
Improperly Contained Trash and Recycling in Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure trash and recycling were properly contained in the dumpster area. During observation of the dumpster area, multiple unbroken cardboard boxes were seen scattered around the air conditioning units, and approximately 20 wet boxes that had not been broken down were sitting on the ground next to the dumpster area. Wind had spread some of the boxes across the parking lot, and several were positioned against the chain link fence in the parking lot area. Trash had also accumulated near the air conditioning units on the opposite side of the stairs from the dumpsters, including latex gloves and multiple pieces of unknown debris. A staff member confirmed the observations of unbroken cardboard boxes and trash accumulation, and the Administrator stated the facility did not have a recycling dumpster at that time and that staff had been placing boxes on the ground outside the dumpster area.
Overflowing Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure its dumpster area was maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. On observation, two dumpsters were overflowing with trash piled approximately two to three feet high, and three of the four dumpster lids were open. A Dietary Manager later verified these findings during interview and observation. The facility census was 107 residents.
Improper Maintenance of Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the dumpster and refuse area in a clean and sanitary condition, as observed during a survey. On the date of observation, various loose rubbish was found around and underneath the stairs leading to the dumpster. The Administrator confirmed this finding and stated that maintenance is responsible for cleaning the area weekly after the dumpster is emptied to prevent rodent attraction. Review of the facility's policy on garbage and refuse disposal indicated that storage areas and receptacles should be kept in good repair and cleaned frequently enough to prevent buildup or attraction of pests. This deficiency had the potential to affect all 102 residents in the facility.
Unsanitary Dumpster Area and Lack of Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a sanitary area around the garbage dumpsters, as observed during a survey. Several large bags of garbage containing soiled briefs, latex gloves, wipes, plasticware, and food were found on the ground surrounding three dumpsters. The dumpster doors and lids were left open, which allowed raccoons to access and pull out the garbage. These findings were confirmed by both a resident and an LPN, who stated that raccoons frequently come from the woods and tear open the bags. Additionally, a review of facility policies revealed that there was no policy in place regarding the maintenance of a sanitary dumpster area. This deficiency was identified during a complaint investigation and had the potential to affect all residents in the facility.
Improper Disposal and Sanitation of Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the dumpster area in a clean and sanitary condition, as observed during a survey with a dietary aide. Significant amounts of debris, including plastic gloves, used plastic silverware, paper plates with food residue, brown bags, and various plastic items were found scattered to the left of the dumpster. In front of the dumpster, a cardboard box was observed on the ground, appearing to have been run over multiple times by vehicles. To the right of the dumpster, the facility's grease barrel was found open to the air with a stock pot of water placed on top. These findings were confirmed by staff during the survey. This deficiency had the potential to affect all 104 residents residing in the facility, as noted in the facility census at the time of the survey.
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