Improper Handling of Meal Trays Under Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
Staff F, a Certified Nurse Assistant, was observed carrying a meal tray from the food cart into a resident's room that was under enhanced barrier precautions, as indicated by an orange-colored sign at the entrance. When the resident declined the meal tray, Staff F picked up the tray from the bedside table and returned it to the meal cart in the hallway, which contained other meal trays yet to be served. During an interview, Staff F confirmed that it was typical practice to return refused trays to the meal cart. However, the Infection Preventionist/Registered Nurse stated that the expectation was for staff to leave the tray in the room to prevent contamination of other trays, highlighting a failure to follow proper infection control procedures during meal distribution.