Infection Preventionist Lacked Required Continuing Education
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the Infection Preventionist Nurse (IPN) completed the required ten hours of continuing education in Infection Prevention and Control within a year of certification. During an interview and record review, the IPN confirmed that after completing the Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course certification, no further documented continuing education in the field had been completed. The IPN acknowledged responsibility for maintaining at least ten hours of annual continuing education to stay current with guidelines and protocols, and admitted that this requirement had not been met. A review of the California Department of Public Health's All Facilities Letter and the facility's Infection Control Coordinator Job Description both indicated the necessity for ongoing education in infection prevention and control. The job description specifically stated that the Infection Control Coordinator is responsible for promoting professional growth and development through educational activities and participation in trainings. The lack of documented continuing education for the IPN was directly observed and confirmed during the survey process.