Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. placing themselves or persons in their care at risk. These recommendations apply not only to licensed healthcare facilities but also to any setting where fingerstick procedures are performed and/or insulin is administered, including assisted living or residential care facilities, shelters, and multiple patients family home. Protection from bloodborne viruses and other infections is a basic requirement and expectation anywhere healthcare is provided. Fingerstick Devices Fingerstick devices, also called lancing devices, are devices that are used to prick the skin and obtain drops of blood for testing. There are two main types of fingerstick devices: those that are designed for reuse on a single person and those that are disposable and for single-use. _ Reusable Devices: These devices often resemble a pen and have the means to remove and replace the lancet after each use, allowing the device to be used more than once. Some of these devices have been previously approved and marketed for multi-patient use, and require the lancet and disposable components (platforms or endcaps) to be changed between each patient. However, due to failures to change the disposable components, difficulties with cleaning and disinfection after use, and their link to multiple HBV infection outbreaks, CDC recommends that these devices never be used for more than one person. If these devices are used, it should only be by individual persons using these devices for self-monitoring of blood glucose. _ Single-use, auto-disabling fingerstick devices: These are devices that are disposable and prevent reuse through an auto-disabling feature. In settings where assisted monitoring of blood glucose is performed, single-use, auto-disabling fingerstick devices should be used. A simple rule for safe care: Fingerstick devices should never be used for more than one person. Blood glucose meters are devices that measure blood glucose levels. _ Single-use, auto-disabling fingerstick devices: These are devices that are disposable and prevent reuse through an auto-disabling feature. In settings where assisted monitoring of blood glucose is performed, single-use, auto-disabling fingerstick devices should be used. _ Whenever possible, blood glucose meters should be assigned to an individual person and not be shared. _ If blood glucose meters must be shared, the device should be cleaned and disinfected after every use, per manufacturer’s instructions, to prevent carry-over of blood and infectious agents. If the manufacturer does not specify how the device should be cleaned and disinfected then it should not be shared. A simple rule for safe care: If shared, blood glucose meters should be cleaned and disinfected after every use. Insulin Administration Insulin can be administered using an insulin pen that is designed for reuse on a single patient. It can also be administered using a needle and syringe after drawing up contents from an insulin vial. Insulin Pens: Insulin pens are pen-shaped injector devices for insulin that are intended for use by a single person. The pens have an insulin reservoir, or an insulin cartridge, that usually contains enough insulin for an individual to self-administer several doses (injections) of insulin before the reservoir or cartridge is empty. The individual changes the needle before each insulin injection. Insulin pens are designed to be safe for a single person to use a single pen multiple times, with a new needle for each injection. Insulin pens should be assigned to individual persons and labeled appropriately. They should never be used for more than one person. Insulin Vials: Multi-dose vials of insulin should be dedicated to a single person whenever Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-78