Failure to Follow Infection Control Protocols During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
During a wound care observation for Resident #09, who had diagnoses including cellulitis and a stage three pressure ulcer to the sacrum, it was found that infection control protocols were not followed. The resident, who was cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for care, had a physician's order for daily wound care to the right buttocks. The LPN performing the wound care did not remove her soiled gloves or perform hand hygiene after removing the old dressing, instead wearing the same gloves throughout the entire dressing change procedure. The LPN confirmed during an interview that she did not change gloves or perform hand hygiene as required by facility policy, which specifies that gloves should be removed and hands washed after removing the old dressing and before continuing treatment. This failure to follow established infection control measures was observed directly and was not in accordance with the facility's wound care policy.