Failure to Maintain Infection Control and Proper Laundry Handling
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by multiple observed breaches in protocol. A resident on contact precautions was administered medication by an LPN who entered the resident's room without donning the required personal protective equipment (PPE). The LPN initially entered without any PPE, then donned only gloves after being prompted, and did not wear a gown during either medication administration, despite leaning against the resident's bed rail. The Director of Nursing confirmed that staff are expected to follow posted signs and wear both gown and gloves when entering rooms of residents on contact precautions. Additionally, the facility did not adhere to proper laundry handling procedures. A laundry aide was observed transporting clean clothing uncovered through hallways and delivering them to residents' rooms, stating that this was standard practice due to lack of appropriate carts or covers. Clean linens were also observed being moved from the clean side of the laundry room through the dirty side and into a housekeeping closet, and a soiled linen hamper was found in the clean area of the laundry room. The Director of Nursing confirmed that clean and soiled laundry should be kept separate at all times and that clean laundry should not cross into dirty areas.