Improper Cleaning and Storage of Tube Feeding Syringe
Penalty
Summary
Nurse #1 failed to properly clean and store a tube feeding syringe after administering medication to Resident #79, who had a gastric tube and severe cognitive deficit. The nurse rinsed the syringe parts with tap water, reassembled the syringe without allowing it to air dry, and placed it in a plastic bag with visible water remaining inside both the syringe and the bag. This practice was observed during medication administration and was acknowledged by the nurse as routine. The facility's procedure, as described by the DON, required disassembling the syringe, rinsing with warm water, air drying on a paper towel, and storing the parts separately in a plastic bag, which was not followed in this instance. The DON confirmed that stagnant water could promote bacterial growth.