Care home carpeted over hygiene rules
A care home has been criticised for its hygiene standards during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fairknowe House in Maybole’s Cargill Road was graded in the second-lowest category of the Care Inspectorate’s six-point scale and labelled “weak” in two key areas.
The care home has been ordered to clean up its act in the wake of a recent unannounced inspection.
In its report, Care Inspectorate officers found “stained mattresses and cushions,” while disposal of clinical waste was “a concern” because of a lack of available bins in corridor areas; and PPE (personal protection equipment) in residents’ bedrooms and bathrooms was “not stored correctly” and deemed “at risk of contamination.”
The watchdog found infection control practices “weak” and topical medication administration records (TMARs) “had not been completed appropriately” while the recording of fluid intake “should be improved.”
Inspectors have made many recommendations, including the home’s safe infection control practices are “followed at all times” and ensuring there are clear and enhanced cleaning schedules in place for all areas of the home; PPE is available and stored correctly and a sufficient number of clinical waste bins are appropriately located. The management and processing of laundry must be processed “in line with current guidance,” “appropriate cleaning materials” are being used and all equipment used for residents is “clean and well maintained.”
However, a new management team “had recruited staff ” and there was now “enough staff to ensure responsive care and support,” although it needed to be “monitored.” The report added: “Improvements had, however, been noted since the new management team had been appointed.”
Fairknowe House provides a care home service to 40 older people, some of whom may have physical needs and/ or dementia. The service provider is Mead Medical Services Ltd.
Fairknowe Care Home didn’t comment as we reached our deadline.