HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure staff performed hand hygiene and maintain sanitary equipment for all patients reviewed. This deficient practice is likely to result in contamination of equipment, transmission of communicable diseases, and infection control issues placing patients at risk.

The findings are:

A. Record review of facility's policy titled "Standard precautions" dated 04/25/2019, section 2.6.1.5 stated, "Do not wear the same pair of gloves for the care of more than one patient."

B. Record review of facility's policy titled " Hand Hygiene" dated 02/06/2023, section 1. Stated, "Hand hygiene must be performed: Before and after touching a patient or the patient surroundings (even if gloves are worn)".

C. During an observation on 12/19/23, at 9:30 AM, in the Emergency Department (ED) waiting room Staff (S)18, Patient Care Tech took vitals on two unidentified patients without changing gloves, performing hand hygiene, and cleaning the blood pressure cuff in between uses.

D. During an interview with S18 on 12/19/23, at 9:31 AM, S18 confirmed vitals were taken on two unidentified patients without changing gloves, performing hand hygiene, and cleaning the blood pressure cuff in between uses. When asked S18 if that was standard procedure, S18 indicated that either a sleeve on the patient's arm is to be used, the cuff is to stay with the patient while their admitted or the cuff needs to be disinfected in between uses.

D. During an interview with S15, Patient Care Tech on 12/21/23, at 4:20 PM, S15 confirmed that he wears the same pair of gloves when taking vitals for all patients in the waiting room and the same blood pressure cuff is used for all patients in the waiting room and is not cleaned between uses.