CNA Provided Direct Care Without Required CPR Certification
Penalty
Summary
A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) was found to be providing direct patient care without having a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate, as required by facility policy. Review of the CNA's personnel file confirmed the absence of a CPR certificate since the date of hire. The Human Resources (HR) Manager acknowledged that the CNA had been enrolled in a CPR class but did not complete it, and that the Staff Development Office should have followed up on the completion. The HR Manager did not answer when asked if the CNA was allowed to work on the floor without the required certification. Facility policy mandates that all clinical staff providing direct patient care must have completed Basic Life Support (BLS) training, which includes CPR. The CNA in question was assigned to various units, including during the orientation period, and could be assigned to any unit as needed. Documentation of the CNA's specific unit assignments and corresponding unit census was requested but not provided by the end of the survey. This lapse in ensuring required certification was identified through personnel file review and staff interviews.