Opportunities & Survey Tips
Chemical testing strips help verify that cleaning and disinfection solutions are effective but only when the correct strips are used, within expiration, and properly validated. Learn common testing-strip errors and practical steps organizations can take to confirm accuracy, maintain documentation, and support safe, compliant practices.
Waived point-of-care testing may be considered low risk, but proper quality control and documentation are still essential. Missing acceptable ranges, overlooked QC results, or incomplete follow-up can put test accuracy, and patient safety, at risk. Strong oversight helps ensure staff follow procedures, address out-of-range results, and maintain compliance.
Single-dose medication vials are meant for one-time use and should be discarded immediately after use, not dated for disposal 28 days later. As this issue becomes more common, organizations should reinforce proper vial identification, staff education, and routine rounding to ensure safe medication practices.
Medication storage areas must be secure from unauthorized access, even when the room itself is locked. Organizations should evaluate who can enter medication rooms, ensure medications are properly secured when areas are unattended, and regularly assess storage practices for potential security risks.
Controlled pharmaceutical waste disposal is imperative to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing pharmaceuticals, especially controlled substances. Learn best practices for a safe process.
Guidance, from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), was just released to aid organizations in complying with regulatory requirements when the IFU’s are contradictory to evidenced based guidelines, confusing, or so complex that disinfection procedures do not support evidenced based guidelines.
