Failure to Adhere to Infection Control Standards in Medication Handling and Equipment Storage
Penalty
Summary
A Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) was observed preparing oral medications for a resident and touched each medication with bare hands, including hydroxyurea, which had specific instructions to wear gloves when handling. The QMA admitted to not noticing the label instructions and acknowledged that medications should not be touched with bare hands, as per facility policy. Facility documentation provided by the Administrator confirmed that infection control practices require medications to be dispensed without direct hand contact and to follow all label instructions. Additionally, a resident with a history of urinary tract infection and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was observed with a CPAP mask left uncovered on the bedside table and an indwelling urinary catheter drainage bag and tubing in contact with the floor. The resident reported not having a storage bag for the CPAP mask and that staff had not assisted with cleaning the device. Facility policy requires CPAP masks to be stored in a plastic bag when not in use and catheter drainage bags to be kept off the floor. Staff confirmed these expectations during interviews.