Failure to Follow Enhanced Droplet Precaution PPE Requirements
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a Floor Technician entered the room of a resident who was on enhanced droplet precautions for a recent COVID-19 diagnosis. The facility's policy and posted signage required staff to wear an N95 mask, gown, gloves, and eye protection before entering rooms under these precautions. Despite this, the Floor Technician entered the resident's room wearing only a surgical mask and gloves, and did not don the required N95 mask, gown, or eye protection. The technician was in the room for approximately 10 seconds to check the trash can, which was located about four feet from the resident's bed. The Floor Technician later confirmed in an interview that he was aware of the enhanced droplet precaution signage but did not realize he needed to wear the full set of PPE before entering. He stated that he typically did not enter resident rooms and was filling in for a housekeeper on that day. Both the Infection Preventionist and the Director of Nursing confirmed that all staff, regardless of their usual assignments, were expected to follow the posted PPE requirements for rooms under enhanced droplet precautions.