Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During High-Contact Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective Infection Control Program to prevent the spread of infection related to Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) for a resident receiving intravenous medication. A sign posted outside the resident's room indicated that staff were required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a gown, gloves, and face mask/eye protection, when providing care. During an observation, a registered nurse wore PPE while administering intravenous medication but removed her PPE to leave the room and retrieve a clean pillowcase. Upon returning, she did not don new PPE and proceeded to provide high-contact care by placing a pillow under the resident's right thigh and handling the leg with both hands. The nurse confirmed in an interview that she provided this care without wearing the required PPE, despite the resident being on EBP.