State inspectors discovered the improperly stored bedpan during a complaint investigation on January 28. The medical equipment lacked required labeling and was not stored in the protective bag that facility policy mandates.
Licensed Practical Nurse #21 confirmed to inspectors that the bedpan violated storage protocols. The nurse acknowledged it should have been labeled and placed in a storage bag rather than left exposed on the trash receptacle.
The Administrator was notified of the violation within 25 minutes of its discovery and confirmed that proper procedure required both labeling and bagged storage for the bedpan.
Federal infection prevention standards require nursing homes to maintain strict protocols for medical equipment storage to prevent cross-contamination between residents. Bedpans, which come into direct contact with bodily waste, pose particular risks when stored improperly.
The violation occurred in a resident room bathroom, where improper storage could expose both the room's occupant and staff to potential infection risks. Inspectors classified the violation as having minimal harm or potential for actual harm to residents.
The discovery happened during routine facility inspection activities, suggesting the improper storage may have been ongoing rather than an isolated incident. Inspectors noted the finding represented a "random opportunity for discovery," indicating systematic review revealed the problem.
Dunbar Center operates as a 116-bed facility in West Virginia. The inspection report did not indicate how long the bedpan remained improperly stored or whether similar violations existed in other resident rooms.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Dunbar Center from 2026-01-29 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.