Failure to Follow Infection Control Practices During Insulin Administration
Penalty
Summary
A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) failed to follow established infection control practices while administering an injectable medication to a resident. During the administration of Humalog insulin using a quick pen to the resident's left lower abdomen, the LVN used her ungloved hand to uncap and dispose of the contaminated needle tip. The LVN acknowledged this action, stating she grabbed the needle without thinking and discarded it. Review of the facility's policy and procedure for subcutaneous insulin administration indicated that gloves should be worn, and the safety device should be engaged before discarding the syringe and needle in the appropriate disposal container. The observed practice did not align with the facility's infection control policy.