Infection Control Lapses in Hand Hygiene, Equipment Cleaning, and PPE Disposal
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow infection prevention and control protocols in several instances. An LPN did not perform hand hygiene before or after administering medication to a resident with schizoaffective disorder, type two diabetes mellitus, and anxiety disorder, despite facility policy requiring hand hygiene before and after routine resident care. In another case, the same LPN did not clean a glucometer after use for a resident with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type two diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure, contrary to facility policy that mandates adherence to infection control procedures during medication administration. Additionally, a resident with type two diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who was on enhanced barrier precautions due to venous/stasis ulcers, had a used disposable gown left on an entry table in their room. The LPN responsible confirmed the gown was not discarded after use, and the ADON verified that gowns should be disposed of after each use according to facility policy and CDC guidance. These deficiencies were identified through medical record review, observation, staff interviews, and policy review.