F0880

D

Failure to Follow Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Residents With Indwelling Devices

Whiteville, North Carolina Survey Completed on 02-26-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to implement its infection control policy and procedures for Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) during high-contact care for residents with indwelling medical devices. The facility’s Infection Control Policy dated 6/1/25 defined EBP as the use of gown and gloves during high-contact resident care activities that provide opportunities for transfer of multi-drug resistant organisms, specifically including care of urinary catheters and feeding tubes. Surveyors observed that one resident with an indwelling urinary catheter had an EBP sign posted outside the room and a PPE cart with gowns and gloves available, yet the assigned nurse changed the urinary catheter bag while wearing only gloves and did not don a gown. The nurse reported not realizing the resident was on EBP, stated she did not see the sign, and acknowledged she should have worn a gown along with gloves when performing the catheter care.

A second deficiency event occurred with a resident who had a feeding tube and an EBP sign posted outside the room, with a PPE cart containing gowns and gloves in the hallway. During medication administration and water flushes through the feeding tube, followed by repositioning the resident’s blankets, the nurse wore gloves but did not don a gown. This nurse also stated she did not see the EBP sign and did not know why the resident was on EBP, despite having received infection control training, and acknowledged she should have read the sign and worn a gown with gloves when providing feeding tube care. The Infection Preventionist and the DON both confirmed that staff had been trained on EBP and that staff were expected to wear gowns and gloves when providing direct care to residents on EBP, including urinary catheter and feeding tube care.