Inadequate Infection Preventionist Oversight and Incomplete Antibiotic Surveillance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the designated Infection Preventionist (IP) was qualified and competent in implementing the infection prevention and control program. Specifically, the IP did not monitor antibiotic use, side effects, or adverse reactions for a resident who was prescribed Zosyn and Vancomycin for a fever. Despite care plan interventions requiring observation for adverse reactions, there was no documented monitoring in the nurse's notes for the duration of the antibiotic therapy. Additionally, the facility's Infection Control Surveillance Log for another resident receiving antibiotics for a wound infection was incomplete. Key information such as date of admission, signs and symptoms, organism location, and date infection resolved were missing from the log. Both the Minimum Data Set Nurse and a Registered Nurse confirmed that the log was incomplete for this resident. Interviews with the IP revealed that she had not started her own antibiotic surveillance log as required by her job description, and she acknowledged that the antibiotic surveillance process was not being completed. The IP also stated that she was responsible for multiple facilities and had not attended required training or conventions. The Director of Subacute and Chief Nursing Officer confirmed that the IP had not met the qualifications outlined in her job description and that the infection control tracking and monitoring duties were not being fulfilled.