Improper Glove Use in Hallway Breaches Infection Control Practices
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to adhere to infection prevention and control practices regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the West Wing. During observation, a CNA was seen standing by a medication cart in the hallway talking with a nurse while holding a soiled bag and wearing gloves on both hands. After several minutes, the CNA walked down the hallway toward the soiled utility room, removed the glove from her left hand but kept the glove on her right hand while still holding the soiled bag and then entered the utility room. In an interview immediately afterward, the CNA acknowledged she had been wearing gloves in the hallway, confirmed she knew she was not supposed to wear gloves in the hallway because it was a break in infection control practice, and stated she had gotten distracted. The Unit Manager confirmed that staff should not wear gloves in the hallways because it was an infection control concern and that gloves must be removed inside the resident’s room before exiting, and the DON also confirmed that the CNA walking down the hallway wearing gloves was an infection control concern. Review of the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program policy showed it was intended to prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections, which was not followed in this instance.
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