Failure to Follow Infection Control Practices During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow appropriate infection control practices during direct care for three residents. In one instance, an LPN washed and gloved her hands before removing a supportive boot and wound dressing, then performed physician-ordered treatment to multiple areas of a resident's foot using the same gloves. After completing the treatment, the staff member placed unused and/or prescribed treatment supplies into a plastic bag and returned it to the resident's supply basin without sanitizing the surfaces. The Director of Nursing confirmed these observations. Additionally, another staff member performed a dressing change for a resident in a public dining/lounge area without placing a barrier between the table and treatment supplies, and failed to sanitize the supplies before returning them to the treatment cart. This staff member also palpated another resident's hip with bare hands, then touched the resident, furnishings, and herself without washing her hands. The same staff member later confirmed she did not use a barrier or sanitize items as required.