Failure to Maintain Transmission-Based and Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain required transmission-based precautions for residents on enhanced barrier and airborne precautions. One resident with a history of stroke, contractures, vascular dementia, hypertension, depression, and anxiety had physician orders for enhanced barrier precautions related to chronic wounds and an indwelling urinary catheter. The resident’s care plan required use of gowns and gloves during high-contact care activities, with signage and PPE supplies available at the room. Surveyors observed two CNAs transferring this resident from bed to wheelchair using a mechanical lift without wearing gowns or gloves, despite the posted enhanced barrier precautions sign and PPE being available. One CNA acknowledged that gowns and gloves should have been worn during the transfer. Another resident, admitted with diagnoses including Covid, intracranial hemorrhage, and fall with injuries at home, had physician orders for airborne transmission-based precautions, including remaining in the room with all services brought to the room. Signage at the room instructed all persons entering to clean hands when entering and before leaving, and to wear gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection, with HCP additionally required to use an N95 mask. Surveyors observed that, although PPE was available at the door, there was no hand sanitizer immediately available upon exiting the room, the nearest dispenser being down the hallway. There were also no disinfectant wipes or designated area to clean and disinfect used eyewear, and no used eyewear was present in the room or PPE storage. The ADON confirmed the absence of hand sanitizer at exit, the lack of disinfectant wipes and cleaning area for eyewear, and the lack of used eyewear in the PPE storage, despite facility policy requiring appropriate use of transmission-based precautions.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.