Failure to Provide PICC Line Training and Competency for Licensed Nursing Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop, implement, and maintain an effective training program for licensed nursing staff regarding the care of residents with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC). Specifically, two LPNs administered intravenous antibiotics through a PICC line to a resident diagnosed with sepsis, bacteremia, pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, and cellulitis, without documented evidence of having received mandatory education or competency assessment for PICC line management. Review of personnel files for both LPNs showed no records of PICC line training prior to their provision of care, and the facility's annual competency reviews did not include PICC line care. The Director of Nursing was unable to provide any training or competency records for staff who provided PICC line care during the survey period. Interviews with the Director of Nursing and Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the facility had not developed or implemented a training program for PICC line care and had not included this topic in annual competency reviews, despite the requirements outlined in the facility assessment and state regulations. The facility also failed to use its facility assessment to determine the need for such training and did not ensure that staff possessed the necessary skills and competencies before providing care to residents with PICC lines. No documentation was provided to demonstrate compliance with state nursing regulations regarding intravenous therapy education and competency for licensed staff.