Failure to Disinfect Glucometer Between Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement an effective infection prevention and control program, specifically regarding the disinfection of glucometers between resident uses. During an observation, an LVN used a glucometer to assess the blood sugar level of one resident and, without disinfecting the device, proceeded to use the same glucometer on another resident. The LVN performed hand hygiene but did not disinfect the glucometer before attempting to assess the second resident. The state surveyor intervened before the second resident's blood was drawn. During interviews, the LVN acknowledged the failure to disinfect the glucometer and recognized the risk of cross contamination. The DON confirmed that the facility's expectation was for staff to disinfect glucometers between each resident use with an approved chemical wipe for bloodborne pathogens. Record reviews showed that both residents involved had diagnoses including diabetes and sepsis, and both were receiving insulin injections per physician orders. The facility's policy on glucometer disinfection required cleaning and disinfecting the devices after each use and according to the manufacturer's instructions for multi-resident use. The deficiency was identified through observations, interviews, and record reviews, which confirmed that the facility did not follow its own written standards, policies, and procedures for infection control regarding glucometer disinfection.