Failure to Maintain Safe and Sanitary Respiratory Care Equipment
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident who was dependent on supplemental oxygen and had severely impaired cognitive skills did not receive respiratory care consistent with professional standards. The resident's nasal cannula was observed on the floor, with the nasal prongs touching the ground, while still connected to an oxygen concentrator that remained turned on even though the resident was not using it. The resident's care plan required continuous oxygen therapy as ordered by the physician, and the facility's policy specified that oxygen should be administered under safe and sanitary conditions. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the nasal cannula should not have been left on the floor, as it would be considered contaminated and could lead to infection. Staff also stated that the oxygen concentrator should have been turned off when not in use, and the nasal cannula should have been stored in a clean plastic bag. The facility's policy and staff statements aligned in indicating that the observed practices did not meet the required standards for safe and sanitary respiratory care.