Failure to Administer G-Tube Medications as Ordered and Lapse in Hand Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a registered nurse failed to administer medications to a resident with a gastrostomy tube according to the physician's orders and scheduled times. The resident, who was receiving long-term care and required multiple medications via G-tube, did not receive their medications at the scheduled 9 AM time. The delay in administration was attributed to the absence of a Certified Medicine Aide, which resulted in the nurse administering the medications later than ordered. Additionally, the nurse did not follow proper infection control procedures during medication administration. The nurse was observed touching the bathroom faucet and the resident's bed control without changing gloves or washing hands before administering the medications. The nurse acknowledged these lapses in both medication timing and hand hygiene during an interview with the surveyor.