Failure to Follow Infection Prevention Practices During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) was observed feeding two residents during lunch without performing hand hygiene between resident contacts. The CNA stated that she washed her hands prior to feeding but did not clean her hands between feeding two residents at the same time. The facility's hand hygiene policy requires hand hygiene to be performed between resident contacts, which was not followed in this instance. Additionally, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) confirmed that the tip of a resident's intravenous (IV) tubing was left uncapped and exposed to air when not in use. The resident had a history of post digestive system surgery, severe protein-calorie malnutrition, and a gastrostomy tube, and was receiving IV hydration as ordered by a physician. The facility's infection prevention and control policy requires all staff to follow procedures to prevent infection, which was not adhered to in this case.