Failure to Follow Infection Control Protocols During Incontinent Care
Penalty
Summary
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) failed to follow proper infection prevention and control procedures while providing care to a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses, including dementia and major depressive disorder. The resident required maximum assistance with toileting hygiene due to significant self-care deficits. After changing the resident's soiled brief, the CNA placed the soiled brief on the floor in the hallway instead of immediately disposing of it in a designated container as required by facility policy. The CNA then picked up the soiled brief with gloved hands and disposed of it in a nearby barrel, but did not remove the gloves or perform hand hygiene before continuing to walk with the resident. The CNA admitted to being aware that placing the soiled brief on the floor and wearing contaminated gloves in the hallway were not sanitary practices and could contribute to the spread of infection. The CNA also acknowledged that touching the resident with soiled gloves could cause infection. Interviews with the Infection Control Preventionist and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the CNA's actions were not in accordance with facility policies, which require soiled briefs to be placed in a bag and disposed of in a designated container, and mandate glove removal and hand hygiene after handling soiled items. Facility policies also prohibit walking in the hallway with gloves on and emphasize the importance of hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of infections.