Failure to Ensure Staff Competency in Infection Control and Resident Privacy
Penalty
Summary
Two direct care nursing staff failed to demonstrate the necessary competencies and skills required to meet resident care and service needs. One CNA entered the room of a resident with Covid while wearing only a surgical mask, despite facility policy and infection preventionist instructions requiring the use of an N-95 mask for such situations. The CNA admitted to not wearing the N-95 mask because it was uncomfortable, and the infection preventionist could not provide evidence that staff had been educated on proper mask use or on caring for residents with Covid. Another CNA did not ensure privacy for a resident during personal care. The privacy curtain was only partially drawn, allowing roommates to see the care being provided. Additionally, this CNA had a history of performance issues, including leaving the dining room before all residents finished eating and failing to provide care to all assigned residents. The Director of Staff Development confirmed that there were ongoing issues with CNA performance and that there was a lack of documentation of in-service education related to these deficiencies.