21
SECTION
B
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING FAQ
If a blood glucose meter is assigned to an
individual resident and not shared, does it still
need to be cleaned and disinfected?
To ensure compliance ARKRAY recommends that
blood glucose meters be cleaned and disinfected
after each use. Each meter in use is subject to QC
testing per the facility’s policy.
Can cleaning and disinfecting be accomplished
with one wipe?
Many wipes act as both a cleaner and disinfectant.
If blood is visibly present on the meter, two wipes
must be used; one wipe to clean and a second wipe
to disinfect.
What will happen if a blood glucose meter is not
cleaned and disinfected after use?
Per the CMS F-Tag 880 guideline, surveyors may
issue a citation if they observe no cleaning and
disinfecting of meters after a blood glucose test
as they would not be in compliance with CMS
F-Tag 880.
It is important that an LTC facility establish
a program for infection control and identify
a key individual responsible for the overall
program oversight. The program should include
addressing the cleaning and disinfecting of blood
glucose meters along with other equipment and
environmental surfaces. The program should involve
establishing goals and priorities, planning, strategy
implementation, post-surveillance and more.
Additionally, staff roles and responsibilities should
be identified and training should be documented. It
is also important to provide education on infection
control and the proper use of products. More
information on establishing a comprehensive
infection prevention and control program can
be found in the CMS Infection Control Guidance
Document.
F-TAG 880
The CMS has implemented phase
2 of cleaning and disinfecting
standards in the facility
assessment code 483.70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INFECTION CONTROL
REQUIREMENTS FOR
BLOOD GLUCOSE
MONITORING
What is the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS)
F-Tag 880?
F-Tag 880 is an interpretive guideline
for infection control programs
in Long Term Care facilities. It is
put in place to prevent, recognize
and control the onset and spread
of infection. F-Tag 880 is used
for guidance by CMS Regional
Offices and State Survey Agencies
for [re-]certification and complaint
investigations.
Does F-Tag 880 only apply to
blood glucose meters?
No, F-Tag 880 applies to all resident
care equipment and environmental
surfaces, including blood glucose
meters.
Why is Cleaning and Disinfecting
of blood glucose meters such a
high priority?
Blood glucose meters are at high
risk of becoming contaminated
with bloodborne pathogens
such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV),
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Transmission of these viruses
from resident to resident has been
documented due to contaminated
blood glucose devices. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, cleaning and disinfecting
of meters between resident use can
prevent the transmission of these
viruses through indirect contact.
More information at:
http://www.cdc.gov/injectionsafety/blood-glucose-monitoring.html