Failure to Perform Hand Hygiene Between Residents During Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to follow infection control practices during medication administration for three of eight sampled residents. On multiple occasions, a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) was observed preparing and administering oral medications to residents without sanitizing or washing hands between residents. The CMA prepared medications for one resident, assisted with administration, and then proceeded to prepare and administer medications to subsequent residents without performing hand hygiene. This sequence was observed with three different residents, each receiving various prescribed oral medications, including pain medication, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, expectorants, and gastric protective agents. Facility policy required staff to wash their hands prior to administering medications and after handling items potentially contaminated with blood, body fluids, or secretions. Despite this, the CMA did not adhere to these protocols, as confirmed by direct observation. The Director of Nursing (DON) stated that all CMAs had completed training on medication administration and infection control, including the requirement for hand hygiene between residents.