Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Feeding Tube Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when staff failed to implement enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) during the care of a resident with a feeding tube. The resident, who had diagnoses including hypertension, dysphagia, and malnutrition, was dependent on staff for activities of daily living and was identified as being at moderate risk for infection related to his feeding tube. The resident's care plan and facility policy both required the use of gloves and a gown when providing care involving the feeding tube. During an observation, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) was seen applying gloves but not a gown while checking the resident's feeding tube residual. The EBP signage at the resident's room and bed clearly indicated the need for both gloves and a gown. In an interview, the LVN acknowledged that EBP should have been followed and admitted to forgetting to wear a gown, which she recognized put the resident at risk for infection. The facility's policy confirmed that gown and gloves are required for such care activities.