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Q
Quilts Asked May 2019

Is this a biohazard and how to clean dryer?

A resident is 93 and in a wheelchair. The staff are not kind to her. She comes out of her room at night and wants to know if it's breakfast. She rolls the wheelchair by pushing her feet the 200 feet to dining room and no food so comes back. Another time at lunch she made the journey to be told by staff she had already eaten and staff was laughing.


My question is she has a catheter bag that she manages to let it leak. It leaked on a sweater that she put in the dryer with a broom to push button to turn it on but took it out wet. The fluids were all over the laundry floor and then used broom to “mop up”


The staff insisted she go to bed wet all over and freezing.


Staff said they would have someone clean the laundry room throughly. I waited hours and no one showed up. I can use bleach in the washer but how do you clean a dryer that had the bloody urine in it?


I reported the incident to management but nothing has been done.


Please suggestions.

Grandma1954 May 2019
Not a "bio hazard" but this is abuse and should be reported.
Urine is not so much of a problem that fecal matter and blood are. Although there is the risk of slipping on a wet floor.

You can use bleach in a washer. High heat of the dryer will kill any bacteria.
If you have reported this to management but nothing has been done you need to report it to the State. There are regulations that the facility has to follow.
JoAnn29 May 2019
Anything involving a body fluid is considered a biohazard, I am sure. My nurses had to throw any anything with blood on it in a red container. Needles went into a special box and incinerated by the State.
Isthisrealyreal May 2019
Who have you reported the rotten treatment of this poor senior too?
If you work there I know for a fact that you are a mandatory reporter. If you don't report it, you are as guilty as those other sorry excuses for human beings.

Please contact everyone posted on your board at the facility and report the abuse of this woman, it could be your mom.

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cwillie May 2019
I find the elder abuse - and make no mistake making someone with dementia go to bed wet and cold is abuse - much more disconcerting than the dryer problem.
Does anybody out there know who the OP can call to report the abuses at this facility without losing her job?
Isthisrealyreal May 2019
Among other treatment. I think they should be prosecuted.
Midkid58 May 2019
Sounds like this facility needs an all hands meeting about treating residents with a modicum of dignity.

This woman was trying to 'fix' something, and her brain isn't allowing her to make the right decisions. Shame on the people who laughed at her and didn't help.

Karma is a b9ich. I hope these people have someone treat them poorly and they'll see how unpleasant it can be. Are they some kind of sadists?

And yes, there are spray cleaners for the dryer. I'm sure this isn't the first time something of this nature has happened.
Isthisrealyreal May 2019
This behavior is beyond a dignity issue.
JoAnn29 May 2019
Yes, I think this has to do with blood borne pathogens. The wash tub should be cleaned with bleach water and the dryer can be too. Just dry it good when done. Bleach will dissipate with heat. First, if the woman cannot maintain her bag, staff should be doing it. Housecleaning should clean up messes at once. Someone could slip on a wet floor. Does the woman have family? They should somehow be made aware of what is going on. Can u leave hints without jeopardizing ur job. If u get nowhere with immediate supervision go over their heads.

As staff, you all should get a yearly Blood borne pathogens class. I think Osha requires it. If this woman has blood in her urine, or anyone, this is not good and should be brought to the attention of the RN.

There are sprays out there that are as good as bleach and they won't damage clothing. Its used on ambulances. I used it to clean durable equipment.

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