Failure to Provide and Document Proper Respiratory Care and Oxygen Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide and maintain respiratory care, including oxygen administration and nebulizer equipment, according to physician orders and facility policy for three residents. For one resident with Alzheimer's disease and functional quadriplegia, the clinical record showed a physician's order for nebulized medication four times daily, but there was no documentation of cleaning or maintaining the nebulizer equipment. Observations revealed the resident's nebulizer mask was left on the nightstand with dried secretions and solid matter inside, and staff confirmed there was no evidence of when the mask was last cleaned or changed. Another resident with prostate cancer, diabetes, altered mental status, and dementia was found to be receiving supplemental oxygen without a physician's order specifying its use. Progress notes indicated oxygen was started after a potential seizure, but there was no documentation of continued use, flow rate, or route in the clinical record. Staff confirmed the lack of complete orders and documentation for the resident's oxygen therapy. A third resident with Parkinson's disease, dementia, and heart failure had physician's orders for oxygen via nasal cannula for comfort and as needed per oximetry, but the orders did not specify a flow rate. The DON confirmed that the oxygen orders were incomplete and should have included the flow rate. These findings demonstrate the facility's failure to follow professional standards and its own policies regarding respiratory care and documentation.
Plan Of Correction
R32's nebulizer mask was immediately replaced by the Registered Nurse Supervisor upon notification. An initial audit was conducted to determine that all residents with orders for nebulizer had a clean and dated mask or T-pipe. All licensed nursing staff will be educated by the Director of Nursing/Designee on proper cleaning, storing, and dating of nebulizer supplies. A weekly audit will be conducted by the third shift Licensed Practical Nurse to ensure nebulizer supplies remain clean, are dated, and stored properly. Weekly audits by the third shift Licensed Practical Nurse will continue for four weeks, then monthly for four months, then quarterly. Results of these audits will be reviewed at the Quality Assurance Committee monthly for review until audits meet 100% compliance for three consecutive quarters. The Director of Nursing/designee will be responsible for compliance. Completion Date: 7/31/25. R153's oxygen order was changed to reflect rate, route, and diagnosis. Orders involving titration of oxygen now have supplemental documentation requirements of rate and oxygen saturation level. R195's oxygen order was changed to reflect rate, route, and diagnosis. Standing admission order for "oxygen per oximetry prn/as needed" order was removed from the admission order sets. Oxygen can be applied as a nursing measure. Once prn oxygen is initiated, the Registered Nurse will obtain a physician order to reflect the flow rate, route, and rationale for use. The Assistant Director of Nursing did an initial audit to ensure as needed oxygen orders contained a rate, route, and rationale for oxygen use in the physician order. The Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing conducted an audit of all routine oxygen orders today to ensure they contain rate, route, and diagnosis. All nursing staff will be educated by the Director of Nursing/designee on documenting oxygen saturation and flow rate in the resident record for as needed oxygen orders involving titration orders. Ward Clerks will be educated by the Director of Nursing/Designee on adding supplementary documentation of saturation and liter flow to the electronic medication administration record system for as needed oxygen orders involving titration of oxygen. Registered Nurses will be educated by the Director of Nursing/Designee on ensuring that all as needed oxygen orders contain rate of flow, route of administration, and indications for use. Registered Nurse Supervisor will run a weekly report of physician orders to ensure rate, route, rationale are captured in orders for oxygen. Weekly audits will continue for four weeks, then monthly for four months, then quarterly. Results of these audits will be reviewed at the Quality Assurance Committee monthly for review until audits meet 100% compliance for three consecutive quarters. The Director of Nursing/designee will be responsible for compliance. Completion Date: 7/31/25. F 0695