Deficiencies in Oxygen and Nebulizer Equipment Maintenance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain physician orders for oxygen therapy and did not maintain oxygen equipment in a functional and sanitary manner for four residents. Resident 56, who was admitted with pulmonary hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, had a physician's order for oxygen therapy at 3.0 liters per minute. However, observations revealed that the oxygen tubing was not dated, and the oxygen concentrator filter was missing. Employee 2 confirmed these findings during an interview. Similarly, Resident 68, diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure with hypoxia, had a dusty oxygen concentrator filter, which was confirmed by Employee 3. Resident 6, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cor pulmonale, was observed with a dusty oxygen concentrator filter and lacked a current physician's order for supplemental oxygen. Employee 1 confirmed the absence of a physician's order, despite the resident receiving oxygen therapy since March. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the facility's failure to obtain a physician's order for oxygen and maintain the oxygen concentrators according to facility policy. Resident 60, admitted with respiratory failure, had a physician's order for Albuterol Sulfate Nebulizer solution. However, the nebulizer mask and tubing were dated January 2, 2025, and had not been replaced as per facility policy, which requires changing every seven days. Employee 4 and the Director of Nursing confirmed the outdated nebulizer equipment, indicating a failure to maintain the resident's nebulizer equipment according to the facility's infection prevention policy.