Lack of Qualified Infection Preventionist
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the staff member designated as the Infection Preventionist (IP) had obtained specialized infection prevention and control training beyond their initial professional training. The Director of Nursing (DON) was temporarily fulfilling the role of IP while also working toward completion of the CDC Infection Prevention and Control certification, but had not yet obtained this qualification. The corporate DON was providing oversight of the infection prevention program once per week. Documentation provided by the Administrator showed that the corporate DON had only visited the facility on two occasions since the IP position became vacant. These actions resulted in the facility not having a qualified, designated IP as required.