SHENANDOAH, IA - A February inspection at Garden View Care Center revealed significant infection control failures during a COVID-19 outbreak, including staff not wearing masks properly and improper procedures when administering insulin to diabetic residents.
Mask Compliance Failures During Active Outbreak
Despite posting signs requiring masks during an active COVID-19 outbreak, inspectors documented widespread non-compliance among staff and leadership at the 37-bed facility. On February 13, the Administrator entered the surveyor's room without a mask and was later observed at the nurse's station without face covering. The Director of Nursing was repeatedly seen walking through the facility without a mask while coughing throughout the day.
The facility's Activity Director was observed conducting group activities with 11 residents while wearing his mask improperly - either on his chin or completely removed. When he noticed the surveyor, he would temporarily adjust his mask to cover his nose and mouth before removing it again once attention shifted elsewhere.
Multiple staff members across departments, including Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, and transportation staff, were documented wearing masks below their chins or not at all while moving through resident areas and providing direct care.
A Certified Nursing Assistant told inspectors: "Since they have been in outbreak status, staff are not wearing masks in the halls or in resident's rooms. She started to wear one once everyone started to get sick."
Breakdown in COVID-19 Testing Protocols
The facility's COVID-19 testing program showed significant gaps during the outbreak period. Staff reported confusion about testing requirements and lack of proper documentation systems. The facility had previously maintained testing sheets to track when staff were tested and results, but these tracking systems were no longer in use.
A Certified Nursing Assistant stated: "They are not doing COVID-19 since they have been in outbreak status... people have been asking for guidance but they get told there is no protocol to follow."
The facility's corporate infection control guidelines clearly outlined testing requirements during outbreaks, including testing all staff and residents every seven days until no new positives occurred for 14 consecutive days. However, multiple staff members reported irregular testing schedules and performing their own testing at home due to lack of facility-provided testing.
Medical Implications of Infection Control Failures
Proper mask usage in healthcare facilities serves as a critical barrier against respiratory droplet transmission, particularly important for protecting vulnerable elderly residents who face higher risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes. When staff move between resident rooms and common areas without appropriate protective equipment, they can unknowingly spread pathogens throughout the facility.
The documented COVID-19 outbreak involved both residents and staff, with the facility reporting six new cases by February 25. The Transportation staff member who tested positive experienced multiple symptoms including fever, cough, body aches, headaches, and chills - classic signs that could have been contained with proper infection control measures.
COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes require heightened vigilance because residents often have compromised immune systems and multiple underlying health conditions that increase their vulnerability to severe illness and death. The facility's own policy recognized this risk, stating that "the safest practice is to wear masks" for residents and visitors.
Unsafe Insulin Administration Practices
Inspectors identified dangerous practices in diabetes care that violated basic infection control standards. Three diabetic residents reported that a staff member consistently failed to cleanse injection sites with alcohol wipes before checking blood sugar levels or administering insulin.
Resident #2 told inspectors: "Staff A has a habit of doing accuchecks and giving insulin without using alcohol wipes... she would tell her she forgot the wipes."
Another diabetic resident stated: "Staff A on the evening shift will check his blood sugars but does not cleanse his finger before checking it. She also does not cleanse the site before she gives him his insulin."
Proper skin preparation before blood glucose testing and insulin injection is essential to prevent bacterial infections at puncture sites. Diabetic patients face particular risks because elevated blood sugar levels can impair wound healing and increase susceptibility to infections. Injection site infections can lead to serious complications including abscesses, cellulitis, and in severe cases, systemic infections requiring hospitalization.
The facility's own procedures clearly required cleansing injection sites with alcohol wipes and allowing them to air dry before proceeding with blood sampling or insulin administration. These protocols exist because the skin harbors bacteria that can be introduced into tissue through needle punctures, potentially causing localized or systemic infections.
Additional Issues Identified
The inspection revealed several other concerning practices that compromised resident safety and facility operations. Masks were not readily available at the main entrance for visitors, forcing people to walk through the facility to request protective equipment. Staff reported receiving conflicting guidance about outbreak protocols, with some being told the facility creates its own guidelines rather than following CDC recommendations.
The facility's Quality Assurance Performance Improvement program, while documented on paper, appeared to lack effective implementation in preventing repeated compliance issues. Leadership acknowledged awareness of mask compliance problems but failed to take corrective action during the outbreak period.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Garden View Care Center from 2025-02-27 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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