Failure to Update Care Plan for Resident's Vaping and Tobacco Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that care plans were developed and revised to address the use of electronic vaping devices for a resident who used both vaping devices and chewing tobacco. Despite the facility's policy requiring a safe smoking assessment and documentation of all safe smoking measures, the resident's care plan did not include interventions or assessments related to vaping. Observations revealed multiple vaping devices in the resident's room, along with an oxygen concentrator, and staff interviews confirmed that the resident regularly vaped in their room and staff assisted with charging the devices. The care plan only addressed tobacco use and did not mention vaping, even though the resident's smoking assessment indicated vape use. The resident was dependent on staff for all activities of daily living, required oxygen for COPD, and was cognitively intact. Staff and the resident reported that the resident removed their oxygen when vaping, but this practice and the use of vaping devices were not reflected in the care plan. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the care plan did not address the resident's vape use, despite facility policy and staff awareness of the resident's behaviors.