Improper Storage of Oxygen Cylinder in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when an oxygen cylinder was found stored upright on the floor in a resident's room, rather than in a caddy or secured storage area as required by facility policy. The resident, a male with diagnoses including pleural effusion, heart failure, and end stage renal disease, was observed lying in bed while the unsecured oxygen tank remained on the floor. The resident was unsure how long the tank had been present in this manner. Multiple observations confirmed the tank's improper storage, and staff interviews revealed that the tank should have been stored in a caddy or secure area to prevent it from being knocked over. Staff members, including an LVN, the Maintenance Supervisor, the ADON, and the Administrator, all acknowledged during interviews that oxygen tanks should not be left free-standing and must be properly secured to prevent accidents. The facility's policy on the safe handling of compressed gases specifically states that tanks must be stored in a cylinder cart or securely chained in a storage area, and never left free-standing. The failure to follow this policy resulted in the cited deficiency.