Failure to Follow Infection Control Practices During Medication Administration and Incontinence Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement appropriate infection control practices during both medication administration and incontinence care. During medication administration, an LPN was observed dropping a famotidine tablet on the floor, disposing of it, and then continuing to prepare and administer other medications to a resident without performing hand hygiene. The LPN also touched items in the resident's environment and assisted the resident to a seated position without hand hygiene. After leaving the room to obtain a replacement medication, the LPN returned and administered it to the resident, and then proceeded to assist another resident with eye care, again without performing hand hygiene. The facility's policy required hand hygiene after direct resident contact, which was not followed in these instances. During incontinence care, a CNA was observed providing perineal care to a resident using improper technique. The CNA used the same area of a washcloth to make multiple wipes in the same area of the pelvic region and then used the same area of the washcloth to clean the buttocks, moving from the coccygeal area downward. After completing care, the CNA adjusted the bed using the bed control prior to removing gloves and performing hand hygiene. The CNA later confirmed the improper technique and sequence of care. These actions were not in accordance with infection control practices outlined in the facility's policies.