Oxygen Tubing Found on Floor During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's nasal cannula oxygen tubing was observed lying on the floor while the resident was in bed. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), present during the observation, confirmed that the tubing was contaminated and needed immediate replacement. The facility's policy on oxygen therapy requires safe administration, and the infection prevention and control program includes surveillance of staff practices related to resident care and infection control. The resident involved had a history of dysphagia and anemia, was cognitively intact, and required varying levels of assistance with daily activities. Physician orders indicated the resident was to receive oxygen via nasal cannula as needed to maintain oxygen saturation above 90%. Facility policy and CDC guidelines reviewed indicated that floors can become rapidly contaminated, increasing the risk of infection when medical equipment comes into contact with them.