Failure to Offer and Educate on Pneumococcal Vaccines per CDC Guidance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to offer and educate residents regarding pneumococcal vaccines in accordance with CDC guidance for two out of five residents reviewed for infection control. One resident, with diagnoses including severe cognitive impairment and dementia, had a historical administration of the pneumococcal vaccine prior to admission and declined the vaccine upon admission after being provided education. However, there was no documentation of the vaccine being offered again since admission. Another resident, who was cognitively intact and had a history of paraplegia and other conditions, also had a historical pneumococcal vaccine prior to admission and declined the vaccine upon admission, with no further documented offerings since that time. During an interview, the Infection Preventionist stated that influenza, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines are offered upon admission, with only influenza and COVID-19 vaccines being offered annually thereafter. The facility's policy indicated that pneumococcal vaccines should be offered per CDC recommendations and physician orders, but the records reviewed did not show ongoing offerings or education regarding the pneumococcal vaccine after the initial admission period for the affected residents.