Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. possible. If the vial must be used for more than one person it should be stored and prepared in a dedicated medication preparation area outside of the patient care environment and away from potentially contaminated equipment. Insulin vials should always be entered with a new needle and new syringe. Needles and syringes should never be used to administer insulin to more than one person and should be disposed of immediately after use in an approved sharps container. A simple rule for safe care: Injection equipment (e.g., insulin pens, needles and syringes) should never be used for more than one person. Recommended Practices for Preventing Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission during Blood Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Administration in Healthcare Settings Blood Glucose Monitoring. Fingerstick Devices: _ Restrict use of fingerstick devices to individual persons. They should never be used for more than one person. Select single-use lancets that permanently retract upon puncture. This adds an extra layer of safety for the patient and the provider. _ Dispose of used lancets at the point of use in an approved sharps container. Never reuse lancets. Blood Glucose Meters: _ 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. General _ Unused supplies and medications should be maintained in clean areas separate from used supplies and equipment (e.g., glucose meters). Do not carry supplies and medications in pockets. Insulin Administration _ Insulin pens should be assigned to individual persons and labeled appropriately. They should never be used for more than one person. _ Multiple-dose vials of insulin should be dedicated to a single person whenever possible. _ If the vial must be used for more than one person it should be stored and prepared in a dedicated medication preparation area outside of the patient care environment and away from potentially contaminated equipment. _ Medication vials should always be entered with a new needle and new syringe _ Dispose of used injection equipment at point of use in an approved sharps container. Never reuse needles or syringes. Hand Hygiene (Hand washing with soap and water or use of an alcohol based hand rub) _ Wear gloves during blood glucose monitoring and during any other procedure that involves potential exposure to blood or body fluids. _ Change gloves between patient contacts. Change gloves that have touched potentially blood-contaminated objects or fingerstick wounds before touching clean surfaces. Discard gloves in appropriate receptacles. Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-79