Failure to Perform Hand Hygiene Between Resident Care Tasks
Penalty
Summary
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) F failed to adhere to the facility's infection control policy, which requires staff to perform hand hygiene upon entering and exiting resident rooms, after touching residents, and after contact with inanimate objects in the resident's immediate vicinity. During a period of observation, CNA F was seen handling dirty lunch trays, writing with a pen and paper stored in her pocket, and touching various surfaces such as bed footboards, privacy curtains, bedside tables, and the nourishment refrigerator, all without performing hand hygiene between these activities or between resident care tasks. CNA F confirmed during an interview that she did not perform hand hygiene as required during the observed period, including after handling dirty trays and between entering different resident rooms. The Director of Staff Development also stated that the expectation was for staff to perform hand hygiene between resident care and after touching potentially contaminated items. The failure to follow these infection control practices had the potential to spread infection within the facility.