Failure to Maintain Sanitary Respiratory Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to maintain respiratory equipment in a sanitary and functional condition for one resident diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Facility policy required that nebulizer mouthpieces and tubing be labeled with the date and changed weekly. However, observation revealed that the nebulizer tubing and mouthpiece in the resident's room were labeled with a date nearly three months prior and had not been changed since then. Interviews with a nurse aide and the Director of Nursing confirmed that the equipment had not been replaced according to policy. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that the facility did not follow its own procedures for maintaining respiratory equipment, resulting in the failure to provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for the resident.