Failure to Follow Contact Precautions for Resident with Fungal Infection
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow contact precautions for a resident with a physician order for contact precautions due to Tinea Cruris, a contagious fungal infection. During observations, one staff member transferred the resident from a wheelchair to a recliner without wearing a gown or gloves, despite signage on the resident's door indicating Enhanced Barrier Precautions and Contact Precautions. The staff member also entered the resident's bathroom, touched the door handle, and handled the resident's water container without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Upon leaving the room, the staff member performed hand hygiene but had already touched personal items and surfaces without PPE. Another staff member entered the resident's room to assist with lunch without donning a gown or gloves and expressed uncertainty about the reason for the contact precautions. Interviews with additional staff revealed a lack of awareness regarding the proper precautions required for the resident, although one staff member clarified that the resident was on contact precautions due to a fungal infection on his arms and was supposed to wear sleeves at all times. Review of facility policy confirmed the requirement for contact precautions for residents with infections transmissible by direct or indirect contact.