Failure to Cover Oxygen Nasal Cannula When Not in Use
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident who required intermittent oxygen therapy was not provided with safe and appropriate respiratory care according to professional standards. The resident, who had multiple diagnoses including chronic respiratory failure, heart failure, and diabetes, had a physician's order for as-needed oxygen via nasal cannula and instructions to keep the cannula covered in a plastic bag when not in use. During an observation, the resident's nasal cannula was found uncovered on the nightstand while the resident was not present in the room. Interviews with both an LVN and the DON confirmed that the nasal cannula should have been covered in a plastic bag when not in use to prevent possible infection, as per the physician's order. However, the facility did not have a specific policy regarding the covering of nasal cannulas and masks when not in use. The failure to follow the physician's order and professional guidelines for infection control was documented through observation, interviews, and record review.