Failure to Label and Date Enteral Feeding Equipment and Formula
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with a diagnosis of dysphagia and severe protein-calorie malnutrition, who was receiving continuous enteral feeding via a g-tube, had their feeding equipment and formula improperly managed. During an observation, it was found that the bottle of Jevity 1.5 formula, the enteral feeding pump bag containing the formula, and a syringe used for enteral feeding were all hanging on a pole in the resident's room without any labels or dates. The items were not marked with the resident's name, room number, formula type, date, or infusion rate as required. Interviews with the LVN and the DON confirmed that all enteral feeding materials should be labeled and dated according to facility policy and manufacturer instructions, which specify that the formula should hang for no more than 24 hours. Review of the resident's orders and facility policy further supported the requirement for proper labeling and dating of enteral feeding equipment and formula. The failure to label and date these items created the potential for expired enteral feeding supplement and equipment to be used for the resident.