Lack of Qualified Infection Preventionist Designation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevention and control program, as required. Record review showed that the facility's staffing plan did not include an infection preventionist, despite having 27 residents. The job description for the infection preventionist position specified the need for specific training in infection prevention and control through an accredited continuing education program. During interviews, the administrator stated that the DON was assigned as the infection preventionist, but confirmed that the DON had not completed the required infection preventionist education. Oversight from regional staff occurred only once or twice a month, and the DON reported being enrolled in, but not yet having taken, the necessary infection preventionist classes.