Contracted Hospice Staff Failed to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
Contracted hospice staff failed to follow the facility's Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBPs) policy while providing care to a resident with multiple risk factors, including chronic wounds, a feeding tube, and a urinary catheter. The facility's policy required the use of gowns and gloves during high-contact care activities for residents on EBPs. Medical records and care plans for the resident specified the need for these precautions, and signage was posted at the resident's room indicating the requirement for PPE. Appropriate PPE was available near the resident's room. Despite these measures, two contracted hospice personnel, an LPN and a CNA, were observed providing activities of daily living care to the resident without wearing isolation gowns. Both staff members stated they were unaware the resident was on EBPs and confirmed they did not use the required PPE during care. The Director of Nursing later confirmed that the hospice staff had not followed the facility's infection control policy for EBPs.