Failure to Follow Infection Control Practices During Medication Administration and Pericare
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow proper infection prevention and control practices for four residents, as observed by surveyors. An LPN did not perform hand hygiene before preparing or after administering medications to three residents, despite the facility's policy requiring hand hygiene before donning gloves and after removing them. The LPN confirmed during an interview that hand hygiene was not completed between residents during medication preparation and administration. The Infection Preventionist also indicated that hand hygiene should have been performed between residents, either by washing hands or using alcohol-based sanitizer. Additionally, a CNA was observed placing clean wash cloths in an unsanitized sink, running water over them, wringing them out, and hanging them over the side of the sink before using them to provide pericare to a resident. The CNA acknowledged that the sink was not sanitized prior to use and stated that a basin is only used for in-bed care, not in the bathroom. The Director of Nursing confirmed that staff should use a basin or wipes for pericare, in line with facility policy. However, the facility's Activities of Daily Living policy, which was the only pericare policy available, did not specify the use of a basin or wipes during pericare.