Failure to Perform and Document Daily Glucometer Quality Control Testing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that daily quality-control testing was performed and documented for glucometers located in Medication Carts 1 and 3, as required by the facility's policy and procedure on Blood Glucose Monitoring and Quality Control. Record reviews revealed that the quality control logs for these glucometers were left blank on multiple days throughout the month, indicating that the required daily testing was not completed. Interviews with LVNs confirmed that the glucometers were used to test the blood glucose levels of several residents during the periods when quality control testing was not documented. The LVNs acknowledged their responsibility for performing and documenting daily quality control tests and stated that these tests are necessary to ensure the accuracy of blood glucose readings. Further review of the facility's policy and job descriptions confirmed that LVNs are responsible for maintaining equipment and documenting quality control testing daily. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that the facility's policy was not followed when daily quality control records were missing. The deficiency was identified through interviews and record reviews, which established that the lack of daily quality control testing and documentation could have affected the accuracy of blood glucose measurements for residents tested with these glucometers.