Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a registered nurse performed wound care on a resident with multiple open wounds, including on the right dorsal foot and left lower extremity, without following Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) as required by both facility policy and CDC guidelines. The nurse acknowledged during the procedure that EBP, specifically the use of gloves and a gown during high-contact resident care activities such as wound care, was not followed. The resident involved had a medical history that included multiple pelvic fractures, repeated falls, generalized pustular psoriasis, and edema. Physician orders directed daily wound care for open wounds, which required cleansing, application of Silvasorb, and appropriate dressings. Despite these orders and the facility's policy, the required personal protective equipment was not used during the observed wound care procedure.