Failure to Ensure Nurse Competency in Glucometer Calibration
Penalty
Summary
A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) was observed performing a calibration of a glucometer and was unable to demonstrate competency in the procedure. The LVN did not follow the manufacturer's instructions, specifically failing to enter the control solution mode as indicated by the absence of the control solution bottle icon on the glucometer screen. The LVN performed control solution tests for both low and high controls, with the high control repeatedly producing out-of-range results. The LVN confirmed that he had not received annual skills checks on glucometer calibration since his initial training three years prior. Facility documentation showed that six residents required blood sugar checks using the glucometer in question. The Director of Staff Development/Infection Preventionist (DSD/IP) stated that glucometer calibration should be performed when a new device is used and provided evidence of a prior in-service training, which the LVN had attended. However, the LVN was unable to correctly perform the calibration during the survey, indicating a lack of ongoing competency verification.