Failure to Disinfect Glucometer with Required Bleach-Based Product
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to properly implement infection control procedures when disinfecting a multi-use glucometer after use on a resident. Specifically, a nurse used Lysol wipes, which do not contain bleach, to clean the glucometer after performing a fingerstick blood sugar check on a resident with chronic respiratory failure, a tracheostomy, a gastrostomy tube, and type 2 diabetes. The nurse then returned the glucometer to the medication cart for use on other residents. The nurse stated she was unaware that a bleach-based product was required for disinfecting the device and routinely used Lysol wipes as provided by the facility. Facility policy and the manufacturer's operator manual for the Evencare G2 Meter both specify that a bleach-based disinfectant should be used to clean the glucometer, with a required dry time, to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. The Director of Nursing and Infection Preventionist confirmed that the facility had not updated its policy to reflect the manufacturer's guidelines after switching to the newer glucometer model, resulting in staff not following the correct disinfection protocol.