Failure to Change PICC Line Dressing per Protocol
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate treatment and care for a resident with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in accordance with professional standards of practice. Facility policy required that PICC line dressings be changed every seven days or sooner if soiled, using aseptic technique. However, during an observation, the resident's PICC site dressing was found to be dated two weeks prior, indicating that the dressing had not been changed within the required timeframe. The resident involved had multiple diagnoses, including heart failure, diabetes, and osteomyelitis of the right ankle and foot, and was receiving intravenous Zosyn via the PICC line. The care plan specified that the IV site should be checked for signs of infection and that the dressing should remain intact and be changed according to protocol. During an interview, an LPN confirmed that the dressing had not been changed as required, resulting in a failure to follow professional standards for PICC line care.