Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a licensed nurse provided wound care to a resident with diabetic neuropathy ulcers on the right great toe and right second toe without adhering to Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP). The nurse washed her hands and wore gloves but did not don a gown while removing and reapplying dressings to the resident's open wounds. There was no personal protective equipment (PPE) available in the resident's room, nor were there instructions or signage regarding the required use of PPE for EBP during care activities involving the resident's wounds. The nurse confirmed during an interview that she was instructed to use gloves only and did not believe a gown or additional PPE was necessary. Administrative staff later verified that staff should have been using PPE for EBP when providing care to the resident and acknowledged the absence of PPE and signage. Facility policy required the use of gown and gloves for high-contact care activities involving residents with wounds, in accordance with EBP, but these procedures were not followed during the observed wound care.