On August 27, 2010 the Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a memo (Ref: S&C: 10-28-NH) regarding Point of Care Devices and Infection Control in Nursing Homes.

This memo is a clarification of Infection Control Standards for Nursing Homes at §483.65 – F441 – Determining Compliance. The following practices are deficiencies in infection control:

· Reusing fingerstick devices (e.g., pen-like devices) for more than one resident

· Using a blood glucose meter (or other point-of-care device) for more than one resident without cleaning and disinfecting it after use

Deficiency Severity Determination:

The reuse of fingerstick devices for more than one resident should be treated as Immediate Jeopardy

Failure to clean and disinfect blood glucose meters used for more than one resident is an  infection control deficiency that warrants corrective action but may not constitute immediate jeopardy.

To read this memo in its entirety go to:

 http://www.CMS.gov