Failure to Implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for residents requiring this infection control intervention. Personal protective equipment (PPE) carts were observed to be located fifteen to twenty feet away from resident rooms where EBP was required, making immediate access to PPE difficult. Multiple staff members, including certified nurse aides (CNAs), were observed providing direct care to residents with posted EBP requirements without donning the necessary PPE such as gowns, gloves, or masks. In each instance, signage indicating the need for EBP was present at the entrance to the resident's room, but staff entered and provided care without the required protective equipment. Interviews with the involved CNAs confirmed that they assisted residents with personal care or vital signs without utilizing the required PPE, despite being aware of the EBP signage and requirements. The Director of Nursing (DON) also confirmed that staff are expected to use PPE when providing care to residents on EBP. These observations and interviews demonstrate a failure to follow established infection prevention and control protocols for residents identified as needing enhanced barrier precautions.