Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions During PICC Line Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during care activities requiring enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for a resident with a PICC line. Observation revealed that signage outside the resident's room indicated EBP were in place, requiring staff to wear a gown and gloves during high-contact care. Despite this, an LPN was observed disconnecting IV tubing from the resident's PICC line without wearing a gown. The resident's care plan and physician orders both specified the need for EBP due to the presence of the PICC line. Interviews with the LPN, Nursing Home Administrator, and Director of Nursing confirmed that the expectation was for staff to wear appropriate PPE, including a gown, when providing care involving the PICC line. The facility's policy also required gown and glove use for high-contact activities such as central line care. The LPN acknowledged not wearing a gown during the procedure and recognized this was not in compliance with the established precautions.