Failure to Timely Change Suction Canister for Resident on Ventilator
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary respiratory care and services for one resident by not ensuring that the resident's suction canister was changed according to facility policy. The policy required suction canisters to be changed weekly, when 3/4 full, or as needed (PRN). Medical record review showed the suction canister was last changed on 5/2/25, and on 5/7/25, the canister was observed to be full while the resident was on a ventilator. The respiratory therapist (RT 1) confirmed the canister had not been changed since 5/2/25 and stated it was scheduled to be changed later that day, but acknowledged it should be changed when full. Further interview with the RT Supervisor confirmed that the canister should be changed when full, and failure to do so could result in the equipment being unable to suction and posed a potential for infection. The RT Supervisor acknowledged that the canister should have been changed when it was 3/4 full, as per policy. The resident involved was on a ventilator and had the capacity to make and understand their own decisions at the time of the deficiency.