Hidden Dangers in Your ALF: Are You Spreading Infections Without Knowing It?

Hidden Dangers in Your ALF: Are You Spreading Infections Without Knowing It?

Hidden Dangers in Your ALF: Are You Spreading Infections Without Knowing It?

In assisted living facilities, infection control isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a matter of life and death. Every day, residents use wheelchairs, walkers, and shower chairs, trusting that they are clean and safe. But are they?

Florida law 59A-36.007(10)(c) lays it out clearly:

“The facility must clean and disinfect reusable medical equipment and communal assistive devices that have been designed for use by multiple residents before and after each use according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.”

Yet, how many times have you seen a walker passed from one resident to another without being wiped down? How often is that shower chair sanitized immediately after use? If your answer is anything less than every single time, your facility could be a ticking time bomb for infections.

The Risk You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Germs don’t discriminate. One missed cleaning could mean a serious outbreak. Here’s what happens when shared assistive devices aren’t properly disinfected:

  • Bacteria and viruses spread from one resident to another.
  • Skin infections, respiratory issues, and life-threatening conditions like MRSA or C. difficile can take hold.
  • Regulatory violations that can cost your facility thousands in fines—and worse, your reputation.

How to Stop Infection in Its Tracks

🚑 Wheelchairs: The Silent Super Spreaders

✔ Disinfect armrests, handles, seats, and footrests before and after use.
✔ If a resident has an infection, assign them a dedicated wheelchair.
✔ Use an EPA-approved disinfectant and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

🚶 Walkers: Germs at Every Grip

✔ Hand grips, frames, and seats (if applicable) must be wiped down after each use.
✔ Check rubber tips and wheels for buildup of dirt and bacteria.
✔ Residents with open wounds? Their walker should be theirs alone.

🚿 Shower Chairs: Breeding Ground for Bacteria

✔ Moisture = bacteria paradise. Every shower chair must be cleaned after each use.
✔ Use a medical-grade disinfectant, focusing on perforations and joints.
✔ If it’s worn or dirty beyond repair, replace it—don’t risk it.

When Sharing Equipment Becomes Dangerous

💀 Residents with contagious infections (MRSA, C. diff, norovirus) must have dedicated equipment.
💀 If proper cleaning isn’t possible immediately, do NOT share.
💀 Visible residue, rust, or damage? Replace it before it becomes a liability.

Final Warning: Compliance Isn’t Optional

This isn’t just about staying in the good graces of regulators—it’s about protecting your residents, staff, and facility.

Ask yourself:
✅ Are you 100% confident that shared equipment is disinfected before and after every use?
✅ Could you prove it in a regulatory inspection right now?
✅ Are your staff trained to handle infection control as if lives depend on it—because they do?

Infections don’t wait. Neither should you. Get your facility in compliance with 59A-36.007(10)(c) NOW before an outbreak forces you to.