Failure to Perform Hand Hygiene During Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) failed to perform hand hygiene during medication administration for two residents. Observations showed that the LPN did not wash or sanitize hands before preparing and administering morning medications to the first resident, nor after completing the task. The LPN then returned to the medication cart, again without performing hand hygiene, and proceeded to prepare and administer medications, including oral medications and eye drops, to a second resident. After administering medications to the second resident, the LPN exited the room without performing hand hygiene. During an interview, the LPN confirmed the observations and acknowledged that hand hygiene should have been performed prior to obtaining and after administering medications to both residents. Review of facility policies revealed that staff are required to perform hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection and to wash hands before and after administering medications, in accordance with professional standards and facility protocols.