Failure to Maintain Sanitary Storage and Handling of Respiratory Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain respiratory equipment in a sanitary manner for two residents who required respiratory care. For one resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses including quadriplegia and non-Alzheimer's dementia, observations revealed that the oxygen concentrator humidification bottle was not changed or dated according to physician orders, remaining dated from nearly a month prior and not attached to the concentrator. The nasal cannula tubing was also not dated as required. These deficiencies were observed on multiple occasions, and staff confirmed that the equipment should have been changed, dated, and properly connected. For another resident with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD and chronic bronchitis, multiple pieces of respiratory equipment, including a portable oxygen tank, oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, and BiPap machine, were found improperly stored. The portable oxygen tank and its nasal cannula were observed on the floor, and the oxygen concentrator tubing was found in a bedside table drawer. The nebulizer mask was visibly soiled and stored in the same drawer, while the BiPap mask was left upright against the wall. There were no respiratory storage bags present for any of the equipment, and the nasal cannulas and masks were not dated as required by facility policy. Interviews with staff confirmed that respiratory equipment should be stored on clean surfaces and in designated respiratory bags when not in use. Facility policy also required that such equipment be dated and stored in plastic bags between uses to prevent infection. The failure to follow these procedures was directly observed and documented by surveyors during the review period.