Failure to Adhere to Respiratory Care Protocols and Equipment Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide respiratory care consistent with professional standards of practice for two residents who required respiratory services. For one resident with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other medical conditions, the oxygen humidified water container and tubing were observed to be dated ten days prior, despite a physician's order and facility policy requiring weekly changes. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the tubing should have been changed weekly but was not. For another resident with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, the nebulizing mask was found placed on top of the nebulizing machine, undated, and not stored in a bag as required by facility policy. An LPN acknowledged that the nebulizing mask was not properly stored or dated. These findings indicate that the facility did not adhere to its own policies regarding the maintenance and storage of respiratory equipment for residents receiving respiratory care.