Failure to Follow Physician's Order for Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow the physician's order for oxygen therapy for a resident who required respiratory care. The resident had an order to receive oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 liters per minute, with the option to titrate up to 4 liters per minute if oxygen saturation dropped below 92%, and to monitor oxygen saturation in room air every shift. Medical records showed the resident's oxygen saturation ranged from 84% to 97%. During observation, the resident was found sitting on the patio with the portable oxygen tank turned off and the nasal cannula not in use, despite the order for continuous oxygen administration. The resident stated he turned off his oxygen most of the day and felt fine without it. Staff, including an RN and the DON, verified the physician's order for continuous oxygen and acknowledged that the resident was not receiving oxygen as ordered. The RN checked the resident's oxygen saturation, which was 92% at the time, and assisted the resident in resuming oxygen administration. However, the RN did not provide education to the resident about the risks and benefits of oxygen therapy during the interaction. The facility's policy required oxygen to be administered per physician order, except in emergencies, but this was not followed in the resident's case.
Plan Of Correction
F 695 Respiratory/Tracheostomy Care and Suctioning • How corrective action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice. A change of condition assessment was initiated on 6/18/25 regarding resident's non-compliance with oxygen therapy by the charge nurse. A care plan for residents' non-compliance with oxygen therapy was put in place on 6/18/25 by the charge nurse. The resident was asked to keep the nasal cannula; however, he insisted on taking it off when he feels "fine." The order for the continuous oxygen was changed to as needed on 6/18/25 per resident preference. His oxygen saturation level was checked on 6/18/25 at 1710 and it was 93% on supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula. His oxygen saturation level will continue to be checked every shift. • How the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken. An audit of the residents on oxygen therapy was done on 6/30/25 by the IP nurse. Three other residents were identified with orders for continuous oxygen therapy. The residents were checked for compliance to oxygen therapy, and there was no other issue identified. • What measures will be put into place or what systemic changes the facility will make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur. IP nurse/designee will monitor residents on continuous oxygen therapy for compliance 3 times/week for 3 months. Findings will be addressed immediately and reported to the DON for follow-up. In-service to licensed nurses on respiratory care and oxygen management was initiated on 6/23/25 by the DON/designee and will be completed by 7/11/25. • How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure that solutions are sustained. The POC is integrated into the QA system. The IP/designee will provide a summary trend analysis of the findings to the facility's monthly QAPI Committee for 3 months or until such time consistent substantial compliance has been achieved as determined by the committee. Date of compliance: 7/11/25 F 695