Failure to Store Respiratory Equipment in a Sanitary Manner
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to provide adequate respiratory care and services for a resident diagnosed with COPD, vascular dementia, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. The resident had physician orders for supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and nebulizer treatments, with care plans and facility policy directing that oxygen tubing, cannula, and nebulizer mask be stored in a plastic bag when not in use to prevent infection. However, observations revealed that the resident's oxygen tubing and cannula were left unbagged and draped over a lamp, and the nebulizer mask was left unbagged on a table beside the resident's recliner on multiple occasions. Interviews with staff confirmed awareness of the policy requiring these respiratory devices to be bagged when not in use, and staff acknowledged that bags had been provided for this purpose. Despite this, the resident's preference to drape the tubing over the lamp was noted, and staff did not consistently ensure proper storage as required by facility policy. The facility's infection prevention policy specifically directed staff to keep these items in a plastic bag when not in use, but this was not followed, resulting in a failure to maintain sanitary storage of respiratory equipment.