Failure to Maintain and Store Respiratory Equipment Appropriately
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain and store respiratory equipment appropriately for a resident with a tracheostomy. Observations revealed that the resident's oxygen concentrator was dirty, with dried particles and a sticky surface, and the air filter was covered in white dust. The suction tubing was outdated, and the Yankauer suction tip was not stored in a plastic bag as required. These findings were confirmed during multiple observations and interviews with staff, who acknowledged that the equipment should have been cleaned and supplies changed according to facility policy and physician orders. The resident involved had significant medical needs, including anoxic brain damage, chronic respiratory failure, a gastrostomy, and a tracheostomy. Physician orders specified that oxygen was to be administered via trach mask with humidified air, and that respiratory supplies and equipment were to be changed regularly, with the concentrator filter cleaned weekly. Despite these orders and facility policy, the required cleaning and maintenance were not performed, resulting in the presence of soiled and improperly stored respiratory equipment.