Failure to Properly Store and Date Respiratory Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for two residents by not adhering to its own policies regarding the storage and maintenance of respiratory equipment. For one resident who required suctioning for increased oral secretions, the Yankauer suction tip was observed exposed to air and not enclosed in a bag, and was placed on top of a suction canister containing fluid. Both the suction tip and canister were undated. Facility staff confirmed that the equipment was not stored as required for infection control, and the Director of Nursing stated that the expectation was for the equipment to be bagged and dated. For another resident receiving multiple nebulized medications, the nebulizer tubing was found left uncovered on the nightstand and not stored in a bag, with no date label to indicate when the tubing or bag had last been changed. The resident reported that the nurse left the tubing uncovered after the previous treatment. Facility staff verified that the nebulizer administration set should have been enclosed in a labeled bag and dated according to policy. These lapses were observed during surveyor visits and confirmed through staff interviews and review of facility policies.