Greater Niagara Medical Imaging (GNMI) Infection Control Inspection
- Address
7885 McLeod Rd.
Niagara Falls - Services
Laboratory/Phlebotomy Service
Summary
Semicritical and critical equipment were not cleaned and disinfected/sterilized as per Spaulding’s Classification. Chemical products for disinfection/sterilization were not prepared and used according to the manufacturers instructions. There was not a one-way work flow in the reprocessing area from dirty to clean to prevent cross-contamination.
Diseases resulting from similar errors in infection control may include:
- Blood-borne infections
- Skin / soft tissue infections
Contact
Duty Officer
Public Health Inspector
905-980-6000 ext. 7590, toll free 1-888-505-6074
inspect@niagararegion.ca
Findings and Corrective Measures
A complaint was identified from a member of the public on October 4, 2021, 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 October 7, 2021.
An investigation report was given to the premise / facility noting corrective measures. Information and education was provided.
Corrected Issues
| Issue | Correction | Date Corrected |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces/ Equipment not cleanable. | Surfaces/ Equipment to be cleanable. | Oct. 20, 2021 |
| No barriers or covers for surfaces used. | Use barriers or covers on surfaces that may become contaminated. | Oct. 20, 2021 |
| 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 | Oct. 20, 2021 |
| There was not a regular cleaning schedule in the dedicated reprocessing area | A regular cleaning schedule in the dedicated reprocessing area to be implemented | Oct. 20, 2021 |
| Written infection control policies and procedures incomplete/not available. | Infection control policies to be based on current best practices and reviewed and updated on a regular basis. | Oct. 20, 2021 |
| Expired vials/products not discarded according to manufacturer’s expiry date. | Discard expired vials/products according to manufacturer’s expiry date. | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Equipment/devices not cleaned and disinfected/sterilized appropriately. | Clean and disinfect/sterilize equipment/devices appropriately. | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| There was not a one-way work flow from dirty to clean in the reprocessing area | Reprocessing area to have a one-way work flow from dirty to clean | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Clean medical equipment were not reprocessed in a designated area that is physically separate from direct care areas and from where clean, disinfected or sterile items are handled or stored. | Clean medical equipment in a designated area that is physically separate from direct care areas and from where clean, disinfected or sterile items are handled or stored. | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Clean medical supplies/equipment stored under sink(s). | Clean medical supplies/equipment not to be stored under sink(s). | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Laundry not handled in a manner to prevent contamination. | Handle laundry in a manner that prevents contamination. | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Furniture surfaces not cleanable in the reception/waiting area. | Furniture surfaces to be made of a cleanable material. | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Gross soil was not removed from medical equipment at point-of-use | Remove gross soil from medical equipment at point-of-use | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Probes not cleaned with a brush or covered after disinfection as per manufacturer’s instructions | Probes to be cleaned with a brush and covered after disinfection as per manufacturer’s instructions | Oct. 13, 2021 |
| Sterile critical medical equipment are stored in their sterile packaging until time of use. | Sterility must be maintained until point of use. | Oct. 8, 2021 |
| Chemical products used for disinfection/sterilization were not prepared and used according to manufacturer’s instructions for use for shelf life and storage conditions and labelled with expiry date | Chemical products used for disinfection/sterilization to be prepared and used according to manufacturer’s instructions for use for shelf life and storage conditions and labelled with expiry date | Oct. 8, 2021 |
| Disinfectant test strip bottles not labeled with date opened and were not discarded when expired. | Disinfectant test strip bottles are dated when opened and discarded when expired. | Oct. 8, 2021 |
Health Risks and Inspections
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.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
