Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During IV Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) failed to follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) during the administration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics to a resident. The resident had a history of local skin infection, cellulitis of the left lower extremity, a displaced bicondylar fracture of the left tibia, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, major depressive disorder, and acute embolism and thrombosis of the deep vein of the left lower extremity. The resident was admitted with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and was receiving IV antibiotics for a soft tissue infection. The care plan and physician orders specified that EBP, including the use of gown and gloves, were required when administering medications via the PICC line. During direct observation, the LPN administered IV antibiotics to the resident without wearing the required personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically a gown and gloves. The LPN later confirmed awareness that the resident was under EBP and acknowledged that proper PPE should have been used. Facility policy on EBP and intermittent infusion both outlined the necessity of gown and gloves for residents with indwelling medical devices such as PICC lines, but these protocols were not followed during the observed medication administration.