Every finding on record at Hospice of Southwest Montana, LLC

Based on observation, interview, and record review, the agency failed to follow accepted standards of practice for infection control prevention by failing to change gloves when going from dirty to clean and failed to clean oxygen tubing that fell on the floor of the patient's home for 1 (#16) of 4 sampled patients. Findings include: --- 1. During an observation on 2/28/24 at 11:30 a.m., staff member G greeted patient #16. Upon entering the patient's home, oxygen tubing including a nasal cannula was observed on the floor beside the patient's bed. Staff member G picked up the nasal cannula and placed it on the patient's bed. Staff member G then assisted patient #16 to the bathroom and assisted the patient with a shower. When staff member G finished showering patient #16, she assisted the patient to put clothing on and assisted the patient back to the bed. Staff member G then placed the nasal cannula in the patient's nose and around the patients ears. Staff member G did not clean the nasal cannula prior to placing it back on the patient. During an interview on 2/28/24 at 1:00 p.m., staff members C and E stated the nasal cannula needed to be cleaned before placing it on the patient, when it falls on the floor. 2. During an observation on 2/28/24 at 11:30 a.m. staff member G assisted patient #16 with a shower. When staff member G was done with the shower, she dried the patient's skin and then put lotion on the patient's arms and legs using the same gloves used to shower the patient. During an interview inn 2/28/24 at 1:00 p.m., staff members C and E stated gloves should be changed when going from a dirty to clean task, and should be sanitized in between glove changes. Review of the agency's policy for standard precautions showed, "...3.2.1...personnel were to change gloves after contact with the patient."