Watchdogs have raised fears that a scandal-hit Aberdeen care home is failing to protect pensioners from coronavirus.
Riverside Nursing Home has come under increased scrutiny following the death of a resident at the start of the year.
On June 19, three months into the coronavirus crisis, Care Inspectorate staff sprung an unannounced visit to see how the home was ensuring residents remained safe from infection.
The inspectors have now published a report revealing that “major weaknesses” were discovered.
They said staff were unclear “regarding the principles” of good hand hygiene.
Inspectors “did not see staff routinely washing or using alcohol gel on their hands” and say gloves were seldom changed.
The report added: “Staff were unclear when they should use soap and water opposed to gel products.
“Although staff had undertaken training, staff continued to use and dispose of PPE inappropriately.
“Disposable aprons and gloves are single use, staff did not always remove these items immediately after each task or episode of care.
“We felt that the monitoring systems implemented by the management team were ineffective and failed to identify the poor practice promptly.
“This resulted in poor infection prevention and control practices, posing a potential risk to residents and staff from Covid-19.”
The home is owned and managed by Craigard Care Ltd and a spokeswoman last night moved to “assure” residents and families that bosses were working to “maintain high standards of care at Riverside”.
She added: “An action plan has already been developed in consultation with all of the relevant authorities to ensure that residents are safe and well cared for at all times.
“The action plan is addressing all issues of concern and will ensure that improvements are made.”
The Care Inspectorate first expressed concerns about the home in September 2018.
North East Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said: “Residents and their families will want to hear very clear commitments from the owners that they will act urgently, and give their staff all the support they need to do their vital work of caring for the most vulnerable.”
