Failure to Implement Contact Isolation Precautions for C. difficile
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement the comprehensive care plan for a resident who had a physician's order for contact isolation precautions due to Clostridium difficile colitis. The resident was receiving Vancomycin for this condition, and the care plan included interventions for contact isolation. However, during observation, a sign for Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) was posted at the entrance to the resident's room instead of the required contact isolation precautions. Staff, including an LVN and a CNA, were unaware of the correct precautions and followed the posted EBP sign rather than the physician's order and care plan. Further, the CNA entered the resident's room carrying bed linens, set them on the resident's bed, and failed to don gloves before entering, only putting on a gown after entry. The CNA confirmed she should have donned both gown and gloves before entering and was unaware of the specific contact isolation order. The DON verified that the facility did not implement the required contact precautions as outlined in the resident's care plan.