Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of the facility's policies, the facility failed to maintain an effective infection control program for two of 22 sampled residents (R) (R10 and R89) related to R89's indwelling catheter tubing observed on the floor and R10 was COVID-19 positive, however, staff failed to don personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to entering the resident's room. This failure had the potential to spread the COVID-19 virus to other residents in the facility.
Findings included:
1. A review of R10's undated admission Record located in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) under the Profile tab revealed that R10 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] and readmitted to the facility on [DATE] with COVID-19.
A review of R10's Physician's Order, dated 08/23/24, located in the EMR under the Orders tab revealed an order for Contact precautions until date ending 09/01/24. (May remove from isolation 09/02/24) d/t [due to] COVID-19 (+) [positive].
A review of R10's comprehensive Care Plan, dated 08/26/24, located in the EMR under the Care Plan tab, revealed, . R10 has COVID-19 and is currently on isolation.
A review of R10's signage outside her room door read Droplet Precautions with instructions everyone must: Clean their hands, including before entering and when leaving the room; make sure their eyes, nose, and mouth are fully covered before room entry; and remove face protection before room exit.
Observation on 08/28/24 at 9:40 AM revealed Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) 5 opened R10's room door, entered the room without donning PPE then exited the room. During an interview with CNA5, she confirmed she did not wear PPE before entering the room to deliver supplies to the resident. CNA5 stated she saw the droplet sign on the door and PPE cart outside of the room and should have donned a KN95 mask before entering the room. CNA5 stated droplets meant the spread of infections through the mouth and nose.
During an interview on 08/28/24 at 11:30 AM, the interim Infection Preventionist (IP) stated no recent in-services had been provided to nursing staff related to isolation precautions, however, she held a huddle with the nursing staff and discussed transmission-based precautions (TBP) of every resident daily. The IP acknowledged she placed the droplet precaution sign on R10's door and PPE cart outside of the room when R10 returned from the hospital on [DATE] with COVID-19. The IP indicated she expected staff to wear a gown, face mask, eye protection, and gloves before entering R10's room because COVID-19 was spread through the air.
During an interview on 08/28/24 at 11:41 AM, the Director of Nursing (DON) stated she expected staff to wear PPE as directed by the signage on the door to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
During an interview on 08/28/24 at 11:44 AM, the Administrator stated she expected staff to follow all instructions in the infection control policies.
Review of the facility's policy titled Transmission-Based (Isolation) Precautions, dated 02/01/24, provided by the facility revealed Policy: It is our policy to take appropriate precautions to prevent transmission of pathogens, based on the pathogens' modes
of transmission . Definitions: . Droplet precautions refer to actions designed to reduce/prevent the transmission of pathogens spread through close respiratory or mucous membrane contact with respiratory secretions . Policy Explanation and Compliance Guidelines: . 11. Droplet Precautions- a. Intended to prevent transmission of pathogens spread through close respiratory or mucous membrane contact with respiratory secretions (i.e. respiratory droplets that are generated by a resident who is coughing, sneezing, or talking). b. A private room is preferential, but if not available, the resident can be cohorted with a resident with the
same infectious agent . e. Healthcare personnel will wear a facemask for close contact with an infectious resident. f. Based upon the pathogen or clinical syndrome, if there is a risk of exposure of mucous membranes or substantial spraying of respiratory secretions is anticipated, gloves and gown, as well as goggles (or face shield), should be worn
2. A review of R89's Face Sheet, dated 08/27/24 and found in the EMR under the Profile tab, indicated the resident was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses including Down Syndrome and urinary retention.
A review of R89's admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessment, with an Assessment Reference Date (ARD) of 07/04/24 and found in the EMR under the MDS tab, revealed a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) assessment was not able to be completed for the resident due to his impaired cognition. The assessment indicated the resident has both short and long-term memory impairment. The assessment indicated the resident had an indwelling catheter in his bladder.
A review of R89's Catheter Care Plan, most recently dated 06/29/24 and found in the EMR under the Care Plan tab, indicated the resident had a Foley catheter in place in his bladder. The care plan indicated, Urinary drainage system (catheter) will be maintained and monitored to decrease the incidence of infection and injury to the resident through the review period.
Review of R89's Physician's Orders, dated 08/25/24 and found in the EMR under the Orders
tab indicated an order for the resident to have a #14 indwelling catheter inserted in his bladder related to his diagnosis of urinary retention.
Observations of R89 on 08/27/24 at 9:31 AM, 11:40 AM, 12:40 PM, 2:12 PM, and 4:01 PM revealed the resident lying or sitting up in bed. The resident's bed was in the lowest position and the resident's catheter was attached to the resident's bedside. The catheter tubing was observed to be in contact with the floor during each of the observations.
On 08/27/24 at 4:46 PM R89 was observed along with CNA6. CNA6 confirmed the resident's catheter tubing was in contact with the floor and stated the catheter bag and tubing should not be in contact with the floor to prevent potential infection.
During an interview with the DON on 08/28/24 at 9:21 AM, she stated catheter bags and tubing were expected to be maintained off the floor to help prevent potential infection.
Findings included:
1. A review of R10's undated admission Record located in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) under the Profile tab revealed that R10 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] and readmitted to the facility on [DATE] with COVID-19.
A review of R10's Physician's Order, dated 08/23/24, located in the EMR under the Orders tab revealed an order for Contact precautions until date ending 09/01/24. (May remove from isolation 09/02/24) d/t [due to] COVID-19 (+) [positive].
A review of R10's comprehensive Care Plan, dated 08/26/24, located in the EMR under the Care Plan tab, revealed, . R10 has COVID-19 and is currently on isolation.
A review of R10's signage outside her room door read Droplet Precautions with instructions everyone must: Clean their hands, including before entering and when leaving the room; make sure their eyes, nose, and mouth are fully covered before room entry; and remove face protection before room exit.
Observation on 08/28/24 at 9:40 AM revealed Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) 5 opened R10's room door, entered the room without donning PPE then exited the room. During an interview with CNA5, she confirmed she did not wear PPE before entering the room to deliver supplies to the resident. CNA5 stated she saw the droplet sign on the door and PPE cart outside of the room and should have donned a KN95 mask before entering the room. CNA5 stated droplets meant the spread of infections through the mouth and nose.
During an interview on 08/28/24 at 11:30 AM, the interim Infection Preventionist (IP) stated no recent in-services had been provided to nursing staff related to isolation precautions, however, she held a huddle with the nursing staff and discussed transmission-based precautions (TBP) of every resident daily. The IP acknowledged she placed the droplet precaution sign on R10's door and PPE cart outside of the room when R10 returned from the hospital on [DATE] with COVID-19. The IP indicated she expected staff to wear a gown, face mask, eye protection, and gloves before entering R10's room because COVID-19 was spread through the air.
During an interview on 08/28/24 at 11:41 AM, the Director of Nursing (DON) stated she expected staff to wear PPE as directed by the signage on the door to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
During an interview on 08/28/24 at 11:44 AM, the Administrator stated she expected staff to follow all instructions in the infection control policies.
Review of the facility's policy titled Transmission-Based (Isolation) Precautions, dated 02/01/24, provided by the facility revealed Policy: It is our policy to take appropriate precautions to prevent transmission of pathogens, based on the pathogens' modes
of transmission . Definitions: . Droplet precautions refer to actions designed to reduce/prevent the transmission of pathogens spread through close respiratory or mucous membrane contact with respiratory secretions . Policy Explanation and Compliance Guidelines: . 11. Droplet Precautions- a. Intended to prevent transmission of pathogens spread through close respiratory or mucous membrane contact with respiratory secretions (i.e. respiratory droplets that are generated by a resident who is coughing, sneezing, or talking). b. A private room is preferential, but if not available, the resident can be cohorted with a resident with the
same infectious agent . e. Healthcare personnel will wear a facemask for close contact with an infectious resident. f. Based upon the pathogen or clinical syndrome, if there is a risk of exposure of mucous membranes or substantial spraying of respiratory secretions is anticipated, gloves and gown, as well as goggles (or face shield), should be worn
2. A review of R89's Face Sheet, dated 08/27/24 and found in the EMR under the Profile tab, indicated the resident was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses including Down Syndrome and urinary retention.
A review of R89's admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessment, with an Assessment Reference Date (ARD) of 07/04/24 and found in the EMR under the MDS tab, revealed a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) assessment was not able to be completed for the resident due to his impaired cognition. The assessment indicated the resident has both short and long-term memory impairment. The assessment indicated the resident had an indwelling catheter in his bladder.
A review of R89's Catheter Care Plan, most recently dated 06/29/24 and found in the EMR under the Care Plan tab, indicated the resident had a Foley catheter in place in his bladder. The care plan indicated, Urinary drainage system (catheter) will be maintained and monitored to decrease the incidence of infection and injury to the resident through the review period.
Review of R89's Physician's Orders, dated 08/25/24 and found in the EMR under the Orders
tab indicated an order for the resident to have a #14 indwelling catheter inserted in his bladder related to his diagnosis of urinary retention.
Observations of R89 on 08/27/24 at 9:31 AM, 11:40 AM, 12:40 PM, 2:12 PM, and 4:01 PM revealed the resident lying or sitting up in bed. The resident's bed was in the lowest position and the resident's catheter was attached to the resident's bedside. The catheter tubing was observed to be in contact with the floor during each of the observations.
On 08/27/24 at 4:46 PM R89 was observed along with CNA6. CNA6 confirmed the resident's catheter tubing was in contact with the floor and stated the catheter bag and tubing should not be in contact with the floor to prevent potential infection.
During an interview with the DON on 08/28/24 at 9:21 AM, she stated catheter bags and tubing were expected to be maintained off the floor to help prevent potential infection.