Failure to Maintain Infection Control During Medication Administration and Glucometer Cleaning
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when an LPN failed to maintain infection control standards during medication administration and blood glucose monitoring for a resident with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The LPN prepared four medications for the resident, but after accidentally dropping them onto the medication cart, picked them up with a bare, ungloved hand and placed them back into the medication cup. The LPN confirmed during an interview that gloves were not used and appeared confused about hand hygiene requirements during medication administration. Facility policy specifically prohibits touching medications directly. Additionally, the LPN was observed checking the resident's blood sugar and then placing the used, un-sanitized glucometer on the medication cart. The glucometer remained uncleaned for approximately five minutes until prompted by surveyors, at which point the LPN used an alcohol wipe to clean it. The LPN stated that alcohol wipes and bleach wipes were used for cleaning, but bleach wipes were not always available. Facility policy requires the use of an EPA-approved disinfectant effective against Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, and specifically states that alcohol wipes are not appropriate for disinfecting glucometers.