Failure to Follow Infection Control Procedures During Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when an LPN failed to follow proper infection prevention and control procedures during medication administration for two residents. During observation, the LPN drew up heparin and prepared insulin for one resident without changing gloves or sanitizing hands between tasks, despite handling multiple medications and equipment. The same gloves were used throughout the process, contrary to the facility's hand hygiene policy, which requires hand sanitization and glove changes to prevent contamination. In a separate instance, the LPN assisted another resident in the bathroom, handled an oxygen tank and tubing, and then administered nasal and oral medications without removing gloves or performing hand hygiene between these activities. The LPN only removed gloves and sanitized hands after completing all tasks. Both the LPN and the DON acknowledged during interviews that hand hygiene and glove changes should have occurred between different care activities and medication routes to prevent cross-contamination.