Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. INFECTION PREVENTION DURING BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING AND INSULIN ADMINISTRATION Summary: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has become increasingly concerned about the risks for transmitting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other infectious diseases during assisted blood glucose (blood sugar) monitoring and insulin administration. POLICY: To provide our nurses infection control measures during Blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration. All persons who assist others with blood glucose monitoring and/or insulin administration must following infection control requirements: _ Clinical Reminder: Fingerstick Devices _ Clinical Reminder: Insulin Pens _ Fingerstick devices should never be used for more than one person _ Whenever possible, blood glucose meters should not be shared. If they must be shared, the device should be cleaned and disinfected after every use, per manufacturer’s instructions. If the manufacturer does not specify how the device should be cleaned and disinfected, then it should not be shared. _ Insulin pens and other medication cartridges and syringes are for single-patient-use only and should never be used for more than one person. Monitoring of blood glucose levels is frequently performed to guide therapy for persons with diabetes. Blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration can be accomplished in two ways: self-monitoring of blood glucose and insulin administration, where the individual performs all steps of the testing and insulin administration themselves, and assisted monitoring of blood glucose and insulin administration, where another person assists with or performs testing and insulin administration for an individual, part of the duties of our nurses in management of diabetic care. Unsafe Practices during Blood Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Administration An underappreciated risk of blood glucose testing is the opportunity for exposure to bloodborne viruses (HBV, hepatitis C virus, and HIV) through contaminated equipment and supplies if devices used for testing and/or insulin administration (e.g., blood glucose meters, fingerstick devices, insulin pens) are shared. Outbreaks of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection associated with blood glucose monitoring have been identified with increasing regularity, particularly in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where residents often require assistance with monitoring of blood glucose levels and/or insulin administration. Unsafe practices during assisted monitoring of blood glucose and insulin administration that have contributed to transmission of HBV or have put persons at risk for infection include: _ Using fingerstick devices for more than one person _ Using a blood glucose meter for more than one person without cleaning and disinfecting it in between uses _ Using insulin pens for more than one person _ Failing to change gloves and perform hand hygiene between fingerstick procedures Best Practices for Assisted Blood Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Administration The following are infection control recommendations that anyone who performs or assists with blood glucose monitoring and /or insulin administration should review to assure they are not Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-77