Oxygen Tubing Found on Floor During Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's oxygen tubing was observed lying on the floor under the bed while the resident was in bed with the oxygen concentrator in use. The tubing was connected to a humidifier and nasal cannula, and the resident was receiving continuous oxygen therapy as ordered by the physician. The Licensed Vocational Nurse present at the time acknowledged that the tubing was on the floor and confirmed it should not be there due to contamination concerns. Review of the facility's policy and procedure for oxygen use indicated that tubing should be kept off the floor to promote resident safety and prevent bacterial contamination. The Infection Preventionist Nurse confirmed that staff did not follow this policy, as the tubing was found touching the floor. The resident involved had a medical history including acute chronic diastolic heart failure, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and generalized muscle weakness, and was admitted with an order for continuous oxygen therapy.