The use of a sterilizer for reprocessing and use of injectable medication did not follow best practices.
Diseases resulting from similar errors in infection control may include:
Public Health Nurse
Public Health Nurse
905-980-6000 ext. 7330, toll free 1-888-505-6074
id@niagararegion.ca
A complaint was identified from a member of the public on March 13, 2020, related to infection prevention and control concerns.
This infection prevention and control lapse involved a member of the regulatory college.
Orally corrective measures were discussed at the time of inspection.
An initial onsite investigation was conducted on March 18, 2020.
An investigation report was given to the premise / facility noting corrective measures. Information and education was provided.
Issue | Correction | Date Corrected |
---|---|---|
Written infection control policies and procedures were incomplete. | Infection prevention and control policies that are based on current best practices are available, reviewed and updated on a routine basis. | Nov. 30, 2020 |
Education and training of infection control and reprocessing policies, procedures not provided or documented for all staff. | Education and training to be provided and documented on a regular basis. | Nov. 30, 2020 |
Reprocessing area is not a separate area with sufficient counters and space to follow a one-way work flow. | Reprocessing area is to be separate with sufficient counters and space to follow a one-way work flow from dirty to clean. | March 31, 2020 |
Needles for injection not safety-engineered. | Needles for injection are safety-engineered. | March 31, 2020 |
Eye protection not available in exam and reprocessing areas. | Eye protection to be available for use in exam and reprocessing areas. | March 31, 2020 |
A log of test results, parameters and maintenance during sterilization not kept. | Record and maintain appropriate results on log sheet. | March 31, 2020 |
An approved process was not followed for sterilization of reusable equipment. ORDER has been issued to ensure compliance. As of March 31, 2020, all contents of the order have been satisfied. | The use of a sterilizer for reprocessing must follow best practices. | March 31, 2020 |
Sterilized packages not the correct size and not labelled. | Sterilized packages to be based on the size and weight of the medical devices and labelled with date processed, cycle or load number and the health care provider’s initials. | March 31, 2020 |
Opened multi-dose medication vials not labelled with date opened and discarded as per expiry date. | Multi-dose medication vials are to be labelled with date opened and discarded as per manufacturer expiry date. | March 31, 2020 |
Furniture not cleanable in the exam rooms. | Furniture to be made of a cleanable material. | March 31, 2020 |
The sterilizer not tested with a biological indicator each day the sterilizer is used. | The sterilizer to be tested with a biological indicator each day the sterilizer is used. | March 31, 2020 |
Medical equipment placed in locked and unopened position in packages for sterilization. | All medical equipment to be placed in unlocked and opened position in packages for sterilization. | March 31, 2020 |
Hands not cleaned appropriately. | Clean hands appropriately. | March 31, 2020 |
Single-dose injectable medications being prepared in advance. | Prepare single-dose injectable medications at time of use. | March 31, 2020 |
In the event that a direct health risk is identified for clients who visited this establishment, Niagara Region Public Health will contact those at risk with advice around any medical follow-up.
For general updates regarding this investigation, continue to monitor this website.