Failure to Provide Required PPE for Covid-19 Isolation Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to establish and maintain an effective infection prevention and control program for a resident who was admitted with a diagnosis of Covid-19 and placed under droplet isolation precautions per physician order. Observations revealed that housekeeping staff entered the resident's room wearing a surgical mask, gown, gloves, and face shield, but not the required N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) as specified for Covid-19 precautions. The signage outside the resident's room indicated droplet precautions but did not specify the need for N95 FFR for Covid-19, and the PPE storage cabinet outside the room did not contain any N95 FFRs. The private caregiver present in the room was also observed wearing only a surgical mask and reported not being trained on appropriate PPE use for the situation. Interviews with facility staff, including the ADON, LVN, and DON, confirmed that the resident was under Covid-19 isolation precautions and that all staff entering the room should have worn an N95 FFR. Staff acknowledged the absence of N95 FFRs in the designated PPE cabinet and the lack of clear signage specifying Covid-19-specific PPE requirements. The facility's failure to provide appropriate PPE and clear instructions for staff and visitors resulted in non-compliance with CDC infection control guidance for Covid-19.