Failure to Provide Safe and Appropriate Respiratory Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary respiratory care and services for a resident with multiple chronic conditions, including multiple sclerosis, COPD, and dementia. The deficiencies included not dating the resident's oxygen tubing and humidifier bottle when changed, not ensuring the humidifier bottle contained water while in use, and not providing a supplies bag for the oxygen tubing when not in use. Additionally, the resident was administered oxygen therapy without a physician's order, contrary to facility policy and standard practice. These issues were observed during interviews and record reviews, where staff confirmed the lack of proper documentation, missing supplies, and absence of a physician's order for oxygen therapy. The resident's care plan indicated a risk for respiratory complications and required adherence to infection control protocols and physician-ordered oxygen therapy. However, observations revealed that the oxygen cannula was not dated, the humidifier bottle was empty and not recently changed, and the supplies bag was missing. Both the LVN and DON acknowledged these deficiencies, confirming that the facility's policies were not followed regarding the dating, changing, and storage of respiratory equipment, as well as the requirement for a physician's order prior to administering oxygen therapy.