Failure to Follow Proper Disinfection Protocol for Shared Glucometer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper infection control practices were followed during the cleaning of a shared glucometer. An LPN was observed preparing to check a resident's blood sugar level and stated she had already cleaned the glucometer but would clean it again. She used a germicidal wipe to clean the device and immediately dried it with a tissue before use. After testing the resident, the LPN repeated the cleaning process, again drying the glucometer immediately with a tissue before returning it to the medication cart. The LPN indicated she was unaware of any other cleaning method for the glucometer. Interviews with the Infection Preventionist and the Director of Nursing revealed that staff were expected to follow manufacturer guidelines, which require the disinfectant wipe to remain on the surface for a specified contact time (2 minutes for Sani Wipes) and to allow the device to air dry. The facility's policy also emphasized the importance of following contact/dwell time for effective disinfection. The observed practice of immediately drying the glucometer with a tissue did not comply with these guidelines, resulting in a failure to implement proper infection control procedures.