Failure to Address Vaping Safety with Oxygen and Secondhand Exposure
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement effective policies to ensure smoking safety for residents using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes). Specifically, the facility's policy did not address the use of vapes while on oxygen therapy, the storage of nicotine liquid (e-juice), or the exposure risk of others to secondhand vaping aerosol. Observations revealed that one resident used a vape while wearing a nasal cannula delivering four liters of oxygen, with another resident present in the same room. Both residents reported not receiving education on the dangers of vaping with oxygen or the risks of secondhand exposure. The facility's staff, including the DON and RN, acknowledged a lack of education and policy guidance regarding vaping in the presence of oxygen and secondhand exposure. Interviews with facility leadership and staff indicated that the dangers of vaping while on oxygen and the risks to bystanders were not considered during policy development. The DON and Medical Director expressed misconceptions about the safety of vaping with oxygen and did not address the risks of secondhand exposure or proper storage of nicotine liquids. The facility's current policy was found to be incomplete, lacking provisions for oxygen use, secondhand exposure, and safe storage of vaping materials, resulting in a failure to protect residents and staff from potential harm.