Failure to Disinfect Glucometers and Surfaces During Blood Glucose Monitoring
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper infection prevention and control practices during blood glucose monitoring for five residents. During medication administration, an LPN was observed removing each resident's glucometer from a plastic bag in the medication cart, placing it directly on the medication cart and then on the resident's over-bed table without cleaning or disinfecting these surfaces. After performing the blood sugar check, the LPN returned the glucometer to the medication cart and then to the plastic storage bag without disinfecting the device. This process was repeated for each resident observed, and at no point were the glucometers or the surfaces they contacted cleaned or disinfected. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that the expectation was for glucometers to be cleaned and allowed to dry before being stored, in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and facility policy. The policy specifically required cleaning and disinfecting reusable equipment between uses. The failure to follow these procedures was observed for all five residents reviewed for infection control during medication administration, as neither the glucometers nor the medication cart and over-bed tables were disinfected before or after use.