Failure to Follow Infection Control Practices by Laboratory Technician
Penalty
Summary
A Laboratory Technician providing services to residents failed to adhere to infection control practices during a blood draw. The technician placed her supply and specimen bag, which is used in multiple facilities and regularly contacts the floor, directly on top of a resident's bed and in contact with the linen. This occurred in a room marked for enhanced barrier precautions and occupied by two residents. The technician proceeded to perform a blood draw for one resident, used the bedside table of the other resident to complete paperwork, and then placed the specimen into the same bag that had been on the bed. Interviews with the Laboratory Technician, a nurse, the unit manager, and the Infection Preventionist confirmed that the technician was expected to follow infection control protocols, including not placing potentially contaminated items on resident beds or linens. The technician acknowledged her actions, stating the bag had fallen off the counter, and demonstrated that the bag is wheeled on the floor between facilities. Facility staff confirmed that this practice was not in line with infection control expectations.