Infection Control Failures with PPE Use, Device Care, and Waste Handling
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures in the facility’s infection prevention and control practices involving residents on Enhanced Barrier Precautions and those receiving respiratory treatments and IV therapy. For one resident on Enhanced Barrier Precautions due to a right nephrostomy and indwelling suprapubic catheter, surveyors observed small trash receptacles in the room and bathroom without disposable liners, including one receptacle containing used gloves, gowns, and other garbage. Later observations showed an overflowing trash receptacle without a liner, full of doffed gloves and isolation gowns, positioned near the roommate’s bed as the roommate and a family member entered the room. Dirty linen was also observed tossed on a chair, with a blanket removed from the soiled linen pile to be returned to the resident. During care for this same resident, an unidentified CNA provided care while the resident was on Enhanced Barrier Precautions but was not wearing a gown despite appropriate signage posted on the door. For another resident receiving respiratory treatments and IV antibiotics via a PICC line, surveyors observed an exposed nebulizer mask left out on a dirty nightstand surface, along with an opened normal saline flush that was not properly stored. The resident’s PICC line dressing was labeled with a date indicating it had not been changed within the facility-stated seven-day interval, and the DON acknowledged that the dressing should have been changed the previous day. After IV antibiotic administration and PICC dressing observation, the trash receptacle for this resident and the roommate was found placed in front of the resident’s footboard under the wheelchair, with PPE hanging over the edge. These observations occurred despite a facility policy on Standard Precautions Infection Control that requires appropriate PPE use, proper handling and disposal of contaminated equipment and materials, and staff training on infection prevention procedures.
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.