Failure to Perform Hand Hygiene During Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) failed to follow infection control practices during medication administration for two residents. The LPN prepared and administered medications without performing hand hygiene before or after entering residents' rooms, and after handling a medication that had fallen on the floor. Specifically, after a resident dropped an over-the-counter pain medication, the LPN picked it up, discarded it, and continued medication administration without washing or sanitizing hands. These actions were observed during medication passes and confirmed by both the LPN and the Director of Nursing (DON) during interviews. The facility's policy required hand hygiene during medication administration, which was not followed in these instances.