Failure to Disinfect Blood Glucose Meter Between Resident Uses
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to properly clean and disinfect a blood glucose meter (BGM) after use on multiple residents during medication administration. Manufacturer's guidelines and facility policy both require that the BGM be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Observations revealed that an LPN used the BGM to obtain blood specimens from three residents, placing the soiled device on top of the medication cart after each use without cleaning it according to the required procedures. It could not be determined if the BGM was cleaned before or after use for one of the residents. During interviews, the LPN confirmed not cleaning the BGM prior to obtaining blood specimens from two residents. The facility's Infection Preventionist also confirmed that the BGM should have been cleaned and disinfected after each use. These actions were in direct violation of both the manufacturer's instructions and the facility's own protocols for infection prevention and control.