F0880

D

Failure to Disinfect Glucometer and Blood Pressure Cuff Between Residents

South Gate, California Survey Completed on 03-10-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program related to improper disinfection of reusable resident-care equipment. One LVN was observed exiting a resident’s room after checking the resident’s blood sugar and blood pressure, placing the glucometer and blood pressure cuff on top of a medication cart without disinfecting either device. The resident had been admitted with diagnoses including Type 2 DM and HTN. A few minutes later, the LVN administered medications to the same resident, then placed the same glucometer into a medication cart drawer without disinfecting it. The LVN then moved the medication cart to another resident’s room.

Shortly thereafter, the LVN stated he was going to check the second resident’s blood pressure before medication administration and used the same blood pressure cuff taken from the medication cart, again without disinfecting it before or after use. The second resident had been admitted and re-admitted with diagnoses including muscle weakness and HTN. In a later interview, the LVN acknowledged he had not disinfected the glucometer after use on the first resident or the blood pressure cuff before and after use on the second resident, and stated that not disinfecting these items between residents could result in contagious infections being passed from one resident to another. The ICN and ADON both stated that facility practice and expectations were that glucometers and blood pressure cuffs are cleaned and disinfected between residents and before and after each use. Review of facility policy and the glucometer manufacturer’s instructions confirmed that reusable items, including the glucometer, are to be cleaned and disinfected between residents to prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens.