Failure to Enforce PPE Requirements on COVID-19 Unit
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to implement infection control policies and procedures as required by the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program. During a facility tour, two nursing staff were observed on the designated COVID-19 unit not wearing the required face shields (eye protection), despite signage at the entrance specifying that both a face shield and mask were required at all times. The Infection Preventionist present during the observation acknowledged that these staff members did not follow the posted PPE requirements. In a subsequent observation, after new signage was posted requiring N95 masks and face shields for staff on the COVID-19 unit, a dietary staff member was observed not wearing either the N95 mask or face shield. This was again acknowledged by the Infection Preventionist. These observations occurred while the facility was experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak with 16 residents testing positive, and demonstrate that staff did not consistently adhere to posted PPE requirements as outlined in the facility's infection control program.