Failure to Follow Infection Control Protocols During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) failed to follow established infection prevention and control protocols while providing wound care to a resident on contact precautions. The LPN did not sanitize her hands between glove changes and did not wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE), including a gown, mask, and eye protection, during the procedure. Observations showed that after removing soiled dressings and gloves, the LPN donned new gloves without hand hygiene and continued wound care activities without proper PPE. The resident involved had a medical history including osteomyelitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus with a foot ulcer, a pressure ulcer on the right buttock, and obesity. The LPN stated she was unaware the resident was on contact isolation and acknowledged she should have followed the correct protocols for hand hygiene and PPE use. Both the Director of Nursing and the Administrator confirmed their expectations that staff adhere to contact isolation and handwashing policies during resident care.