Failure to Maintain Sanitary Oxygen Tubing for Resident Receiving Respiratory Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary respiratory care services for a resident with multiple respiratory diagnoses, including pneumonia, acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, and COPD. The resident was receiving oxygen via nasal cannula tubing, which was observed wrapped around a trash can at the bedside. Both a CNA and an LVN confirmed that the tubing was left in this unsanitary position and acknowledged it was dirty and needed to be replaced. The facility's own policy required replacement of nasal cannula tubing every seven days or when soiled, and staff recognized that the current tubing was a potential source of infection. Record review showed that the resident's care plan included monitoring for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection, and the facility's infection control policy emphasized maintaining a safe and sanitary environment to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Despite these policies, the unsanitary handling of the oxygen tubing was observed and confirmed by staff, and the DON stated that soiled tubing should be exchanged to prevent infection. The deficiency was identified through direct observation, staff interviews, and review of facility policies and resident records.