Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, staff interviews, review of hospital records, and review of facility policy and procedures, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that it's infection control program was implemented in regards to isolation and cohorting (a group of people who share a characteristic, in this case the same microorganism) of residents with transmittable organisms, staff and visitor use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizing of hands and medical equipment, and housekeeping and laundry practices.
Findings include:
The facility policy titled Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions, revision date July 23, 2019, stated .Types of Precautions:
1. Standard precautions should be used in the care of all residents at all times to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms. Clean, non-sterile gloves when touching or coming into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions. Remove gloves after use. Discard before touching non-contaminated items or environmental surfaces, and before providing care to another resident. Wash hands after removing gloves.
2. Contact precautions are used for residents that have an infection that can be spread by contact with the person's skin, mucous membranes, feces, vomit, urine, wound drainage, or other body fluids, or by contact with equipment or environmental surfaces that may be contaminated by the resident or by his/her secretions and excretions. In addition to standard precautions wear a gown and gloves upon room entry of a resident on contact precautions.
3. Droplet precautions are used for residents with an infection spread through close respiratory or mucous membrane contact with respiratory secretions. In addition to standard precautions wear a mask upon room entry .
5. Special Situations: Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE): Residents with known CRE should continue on contact precautions if they are in one of the following high risk categories: Tracheostomy; Vent (ventilator) dependent; Wounds requiring dressing changes more than once a day; Active antibiotic therapy .
Resident Placement: Whenever possible, place residents that require transmission-based precautions in a private room, to reduce opportunities for transmission of microorganisms. When a private room is not available, cohort the resident with an appropriate roommate. Residents infected by the same microorganism can usually share a room provided the residents are not infected with other transmissible microorganisms and the likelihood of re-infection with the same organism is minimal. If a private room is unavailable and an appropriate roommate is not possible, consult with the infection control provider, prior to placement .
Resident Care Equipment and Articles: Equipment contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, secretions, or excretions is cleaned and disinfected after use. Disposable resident care equipment should be used when available. Linen and Laundry: Melt-away laundry bags are used for collection of contaminated laundry and linen .
Routine and Terminal Cleaning: The room and bedside equipment of residents on isolation precautions are cleaned using the same procedures used for other residents, unless the infecting microorganism (s) and the amount of environmental contamination indicates special cleaning. The methods, thoroughness and frequency of cleaning and the products used are determined by facility policy .
The facility's contracted environmental services provider's policy and procedure titled Contaminated Isolation Room Cleaning MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - a type of staph bacteria [types of germs commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals. Most of the time, these bacteria cause no problems or result in relatively minor skin infections] that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections) stated, .Scrub hands and arms for 3 minutes with disinfectant soap. Dress in isolation clothes: 1st Booties, 2nd Cap, 3rd Mask, 4th Gown, 5th Gloves .Begin the Isolation Room Cleaning using the guidelines below: 1. Empty trash .7. Damp mop .If using Microfiber flat mop - Use a new pad for every room, never re-insert pad into mop bucket .Remove your mop head and double bag so there is NO CROSS CONTAMINATION Exit Room: Take off all isolation clothes and double bag and properly dispose as you exit the room. Take all double bagged linens, mops and curtains to the dirty linen room and let the laundry employees know you have just completed an Isolation Room cleaning. Mop water MUST be changed after completing the isolation room procedure. Disinfect all tools utilized to clean the MRSA room using the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved solution. Wash hands and arms using the proper hand washing technique .
The CDC Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, October 25, 2002, recommends: When cleaning your hands with soap and water, wet your hands first with water, apply the amount of product recommended by the manufacturer to your hands, and rub your hands together vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers. Rinse your hands with water and use disposable towels to dry. Use towel to turn off the faucet. Avoid using hot water, to prevent drying of skin.Other entities have recommended that cleaning your hands with soap and water should take around 20 seconds. Either time is acceptable. The focus should be on cleaning your hands at the right times (https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/providers/index.html).
1. Review of R29's and R94's clinical records, hospital records and observations revealed the following:
A. R94 was originally admitted to the facility in 11/09. R94 has diagnoses that included chronic vegetative state, quadriplegia, and tracheostomy with ventilator dependence.
7/3/19 - Review of the hospital record revealed R94's past medical history included MDR (Multi-Drug Resistant) Acinetobacter baumanii carrier (an opportunistic pathogen in humans, affecting people with compromised immune systems, and is becoming increasingly important as a hospital-derived [nosocomial] infection).
7/9/19 - The hospital Interagency Discharge Orders and the Interagency Nursing Communication Record did not state or identify that R94 was on any type of isolation precautions.
7/10/19 - R94 was re admitted to the facility post hospitalization.
7/24/19 - A physician's order stated R94 required Contact/droplet isolation precautions due to being a carrier of carbapenem resistant acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in the lungs.
B. R29 was originally admitted to the facility in 11/19. R29 has diagnoses that included persistent vegetative state and tracheostomy with ventilator dependence.
5/23/19 - A hospital Interagency Nursing Communication Record noted that R29 was on isolation precautions for CRE (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, a family of germs that are difficult to treat because they have high levels of resistance to antibiotics).
5/27/19 - R29 was readmitted to the facility post hospitalization. A physician's order stated R29 was to be on contact isolation precautions for CRE in the urine.
8/4/19 - A culture of R29's trachea secretions revealed heavy growth of an organism. The organism was not CRE or CRAB.
8/20/19 at approximately 9:05 AM - Observation of R29 and R94 revealed that they shared a room. An isolation sign was posted at the entry way into the room and PPE was stored outside of the room.
Review of R29's and R94's Resident Census Lists revealed that they have been roommates since 11/20/18.
Review of written data contained on the isolation cart revealed that R29 was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine and R94 was on droplet precautions for CRAB in the lungs.
8/27/19 - During email communications, S1 (State Epidemiologist) stated that these two (2) residents should not have been cohorted together, but that they've been together for so long not sure it will make a big difference to separate them at this point.
The facility failed to ensure that residents with different organisms were not cohorted.
9/4/19 at 7:56 AM - During an interview, E26 (Staff Educator/Infection Control Nurse) was asked about the cohorting of R29 and R94. E26 stated that she asked the same question and that the facility had consulted with someone about this issue and that she would look for the information.
9/4/19 at 8:23 AM - The findings were reviewed with E1 (NHA) and E2 (DON).
9/4/19 - E1 and E2 provided a printed copy from a text message from facility staff and the facility's Infectious Disease physician regarding the cohorting of the residents. The physician's reply was .Yes we can cohort them together .Acinetobacter is considered MDRO-hence can be cohorted with CRE.
The following observations were made;
2. 8/20/19 at 8:55 AM - E27 (RT) was observed providing care to R7. R7 had a trachesotomy, was ventilator dependent, and was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine. E27 was wearing an isolation gown that was not secured at the neck causing it to fall down to near E27's waist, exposing E27's uniform scrub top. E27 was also wearing a mask and gloves. After providing care to R7, E27 was observed removing the gloves, applying new gloves and proceeding to provide care to R50, the roommate who was on droplet precautions for CRE in respiratory secretions.
E27 failed to change the gown, mask and gloves before going from R7 to R50 to provide care. E27 also failed to handwash or sanitize his/her hands before applying new gloves.
8/20/19 at approximately 9:05 AM - During an interview, E27 was questioned about failing to sanitize his/her hands after removing and reapplying gloves. E27 stated, Oh, I'm sorry.
3. 8/20/19 at 10:22 AM - Observation revealed R101 had a visitor who was wearing an isolation gown and gloves. The isolation gown did not fit the visitor properly exposing their upper body clothing. R101 was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent.
4. 8/21/19 at 11:26 AM - During a resident interview with R101, who was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine, E28 (RT) entered the room to provide respiratory care wearing an isolation gown and gloves. E28 checked R101's ventilator tubing, and suctioned the resident, who had a tracheostomy and was on a ventilator. E28 removed a stethoscope that was under his/her isolation gown and listened to R101's lungs. After assessing the lungs, E28 placed the stethoscope back on his/her neck after touching it with his/her contaminated gloved hands. E28 removed his/her PPE, washed his/her hands and then left the room to enter data for R101 on a rolling computer terminal. E28 failed to sanitize the stethoscope after using it to assess R101's lungs.
5. 8/23/19 at 1:13 PM - E31 (Housekeeper) was observed in R4's (who was on contact precautions for MRSA in a wound) room wearing gown and gloves. E31 used the mop and water/cleaner that was on the housekeeping cart to mop the bedroom and bathroom floor. E31 discarded the PPE, came out of the room and used hand sanitizer that was on the wall in the hallway. E31 then proceeded to gown and glove and went into R95's room, who was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine. After cleaning the bathroom, E31 used the same mop and water/cleaner that had been used to clean R4's room to mop R95's bedroom and bathroom. E31 was then observed removing the mop head and placing it into a large, clear plastic bag that contained used cleaning rags, hanging on the side of the housekeeping cart. E31 then discarded the isolation gown and gloves, used hand sanitizer, took the cart into the janitor closet where running water could be heard through the closed door. E31 came out of the janitor's closet approximately 10 minutes later and went to R51's, who was on contact precautions for CRE in wounds, applied PPE and began cleaning the room.
6. 8/27/19 at 10:17 AM - E30 (RT) was observed in R4's room (on contact precautions for MRSA in wound) providing repiratory care. R4 had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent. E30 discarded his/her PPE into the red container inside R4's room then proceeded into the bathroom. E30 came out of the bathroom after approximately two (2) seconds (suveyor counting 1-1000, 2-1000) and then came out into the hallway. E30 stood in the hallway looking for any call lights that needed to be answered and then proceeded into the respiratory therapy office. E30 did not sanitize his/her hands.
7. 8/27/19 at 11:46 AM - Observation revealed E30 in R4's room (who was on contact precautions for MRSA in a wound) wearing an isolation gown, gloves and mask. The isolation gown was not tied at the neck causing it to slip down exposing E30's scrub top. E30 was observed pulling the isolation gown up to his/her shoulders then pulling the privacy curtain. After several minutes of providing respiratory care, E30 pulled the privacy curtain open and went into the bathroom wearing the PPE. E30 remained in the bathroom for approximately 9 seconds (surveyor counting 1-1000, 2-1000 .9-1000). E30 came out of R4's bathroom and proceeded directly to room [ROOM NUMBER], which did not have any isolation precautions. E30 failed to wash his/her hands adequately (if hand washing occurred while E30 was in the bathroom) and failed to sanitize his/her hands, as there was no hand sanitizer in R4's bathroom.
8. 8/27/19 at 12:12 PM - E30 (RT) was observed entering R4's room wearing an isolation gown, mask and gloves. R4 was on contact isolation for MRSA in a wound and had a tracheostomy and was on a ventilator. E30's isolation gown was not secured at the neck causing it fall down off the shoulders exposing his/her uniform scrub top. After providing respiratory care, E30 went into the bathroom where he/she discarded the PPE and exited after approximately 10 seconds (surveyor counted 1-1000 to 10-1000). If E30 performed handwashing while in the bathroom it was inadequate.
9. 8/28/19 at 9:35 AM - Wound care was observed for R4 provided by E20 (LPN) with E22 (CNA) assisting. R4 was on contact precautions for MRSA in a wound, had a tracheostomy and was on a ventilator. Both E20 and E22 wore isolation gowns and gloves. After completion of R4's wound care, E20 and E22 applied a clean brief and changed a drawsheet that was under R4. E22, still wearing his/her contaminated gloves, went to open the top right cabinet near the window, went back to R4 and removed soiled linens and placed them into the bathroom hamper. E22 removed the contaminated gloves, applied new gloves without first sanitizing his/her hands and assisted in turning R4. While turning R4, E20 removed the draw sheet from under the resident and threw it on the floor. The draw sheet was soiled with feces. After completion of repositioning R4, E20 picked up the draw sheet from the floor and placed it into the bathroom hamper. E22 while wearing the contaminated gloves touched the bed controls at the foot of the bed, the TV control panel and R4's call bell apparatus.
10. 8/29/19 at 1:35 PM - E29 (housekeeper) was observed cleaning room [ROOM NUMBER], a non isolation room. E29 cleaned and mopped the room, placed the mop in the water/cleaner bucket, changed gloves, did not sanitize hands, applied new gloves and went into room [ROOM NUMBER], a non isolation room, to clean and mop.
9/3/19 at 10:05 AM - During an interview, E29 (Housekeeper) explained how he/she proceeds with cleaning resident's rooms. E29 stated that the Red Rooms the rooms with red isolation bags or isolation signage are left for last and the non isolation rooms are cleaned first. E29 stated that if an isolation room is very dirty, he/she will start with the isolation rooms and leave the non isolation until the end. E29 stated that the water and cleaning solution in the mop bucket is changed approximately every four (4) rooms in non isolation rooms depending on how dirty they are. E29 stated that for isolation rooms, the water and cleaning solution is changed every two (2) rooms. E29 stated the mop heads are changed every four to five (4-5) non isolation rooms and and every two (2) isolation rooms. E29 stated he/she wears gloves to clean every room and that at times will double glove. E29 stated he/she looks at the folder in the isolation cart to see what PPE to wear. E29 stated that he/she uses hand sanitizer to clean hands after each isolation room and most times will sanitize hands after cleaning the non isolation rooms.
9/4/19 at approximately 2:15 PM - During an interview, C1 (Regional Housekeeping Director) was requested to review the procedures for the cleaning of isolation and non isolation rooms. C1 stated that non isolation rooms are cleaned first, isolation rooms are cleaned last. C1 stated that for isolation rooms, proper PPE is used and hands are washed for 3 minutes before applying gloves. C1 stated that hand sanitizers are not used prior to applying gloves. C1 stated that the sequence of room cleaning consists of emptying the trash, cleaning surfaces, dusting floors and then mopping floors. C1 stated that for non isolation rooms the water and detergent are changed at least every three (3) rooms and the mop head, dependent on how dirty it is, is changed every 6-9 rooms. C1 stated that for isolation rooms the water. detegent and mop are to be chnaged after every room is cleaned. C1 stated cleaning items such as mops and cleaning rags used in isolation rooms are to be placed into the dissolving plastic bags for delivery to the laundry.
11. 8/20/19 at 12:03 PM - Observation revealed a visitor wearing an isolation gown and gloves entering R95's room. R95 was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent.
At 12:13 PM, the visitor was observed opening the bathroom door with gloves on, then leaving the bathroom with one glove still on their right hand. The visitor walked to the door as if to leave the room, turned around, removed the glove and opened the bathroom door again and disposed of the glove. There was no sound of running water to indicate the visitor was handwashing. The visitor then exited the room.
12. 8/20/19 at 12:25 PM - Observation revealed E41 (CNA) removing an isolation gown and gloves and placing them in the trashcan in R84's room. E41 did not wash or sanitize his/her hands. R84 was on contact precautions for CRE in wounds, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent. After leaving R84's room, E41 went to the nurses station, got a cup with ice, returned to R84's room, applied an isolation gown, but did not tie it properly, did not apply gloves and went into the room and delivered the ice. E41 then walked to R84's door, disposed of the gown, sanitized his/her hands and left the room.
13. 8/20/19 at 2:12 PM - Observation revealed a cleaning cart positioned outside of R7's and R50's room. R7 was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent. R50 was on droplet precautions for CRE in respiratory secretions, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent. E29 (Housekeeper) was observed stepping out of the room into the hallway while still wearing an isolation gown, gloves and mask to retrieve something from the cleaning cart. E29 then went back into the room.
14. 8/20/19 at 2:53 PM - Observation revealed a visitor entering R95's room with no isolation gown on but wearing gloves. R95 was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent.
15. 8/28/19 at 9:03 AM - Observation of E42 (CNA) revealed him/her applying an isolation gown, but not securing it at the neck, and not applying gloves. E42 entered R84's room, wrote the staff assignment on R84's white board while talking with the resident. E42 then went into the bathroom and running water could be heard for less than 15 seconds (surveyor counted 1-1000 to 6-1000). E42 did not sanitize his/her hands. R84 was on contact precautions for CRE in wounds, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent.
16. 8/28/19 at approximately 10:00 AM - After completion of morning care, E41 (CNA), E42 (CNA), E43 (CNA), and E44 (CNA) were observed placing R84's soiled linen into four (4) regular clear plastic bags, instead of the dissolvable laundry bags that are to be used for isolation rooms. R84 was on contact precautions for CRE in wounds, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent. At 10:10 AM, E44 removed his/her PPE, did not hand wash or sanitize his/her hands and proceeded to exit the room carrying two (2) of the clear plastic bags containing soiled linen.
17. 8/23/19 at 1:47 PM - E31 (housekeeper) was observed going from isolation room [ROOM NUMBER] to isolation room [ROOM NUMBER] without changing his/her gown.
18. 8/26/19 at 1:51 PM - E31 (housekeeper) was observed wearing PPE and cleaning R95's room. R95 was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent. When E31 finished cleaning the room, he/she came out of the room into the hall, took off the isolation gown and gloves, then walked back into the bathroom in R95's room, threw away the isolation gown and gloves, and without washing or sanitizing his/her hands went 10 feet down the hallway to the janitor's closet which required a push code to enter.
19. 8/26/19 at 2:09 PM - E31 (housekeeper) was observed wearing PPE and walking in and out of R7 and R50's room to get items from the housekeeping cart in the hall. R7 was on contact precautions for CRE in the urine, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent. R50 was on droplet precautions for CRE in respiratory secretions, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent.
8/29/19 at 2:29 PM - During an interview, E33 (housekeeping director) stated laundry from isolation rooms is placed into melt away bags in the isolation room before coming to the laundry room. In the dirty laundry room the melt away bags are placed directly into the washer. E33 stated the melt away bags have a red top so that laundry staff can distinguish them from non-isolation laundry.
20. 9/4/19 at 1:52 PM - E29 (housekeeper) was observed exiting R51's room and placing the mop head into a standard clear trash bag with other rags and mop heads on the housekeeping cart. E29 stated when he/she was done cleaning he/she would bring the bag of soiled rags and mop heads to the laundry. R51 was on contact precautions for CRE in wounds, had a tracheostomy and was ventilator dependent.
The housekeepers failed to properly follow the facility Contaminated Isolation Room Cleaning guidelines:
Damp Mop - remove mop head and double bag so there is no cross contamination.
Take off all isolation clothes and properly dispose of as you exit the room.
Take all double bagged linens and mops to the dirty linen room and let the laundry employees know you have just completed an isolation room cleaning.
Wash hands and arms using the proper hand washing technique.
The facility failed to ensure that it's infection control program was implemented in regards to isolation and cohorting (a group of people who share a characteristic, in this case the same microorganism) of residents with transmittable organisms, staff and visitor use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizing of hands and medical equipment, and housekeeping and laundry practices.
9/4/19 approximately 7:30 PM - Findings were reviewed with E1 (NHA) and E2 (DON) at the exit conference.