Failure to Disinfect Blood Pressure Cuff Between Residents
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) failed to follow infection prevention and control protocols during medication administration. Specifically, the CMA was observed taking the blood pressure of one resident, returning the blood pressure cuff to the medication cart without sanitizing it, and then using the same cuff to take the blood pressure of another resident. The CMA did not clean or disinfect the blood pressure cuff between uses, despite facility policy and training that require disinfection of reusable equipment between residents to prevent the spread of infection. During interviews, the CMA acknowledged forgetting to sanitize the cuff and confirmed awareness of the facility's procedures, which had been covered in prior training. The Director of Nursing (DON) also confirmed that staff are expected to disinfect blood pressure cuffs between each resident for infection control purposes. Review of the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program policy further supported the requirement for cleaning and disinfecting reusable equipment between residents.