Failure to Label Enteral Feeding and Free Water Flush Bags with Infusion Rate
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with a history of dysphagia and gastrostomy status, who was receiving continuous enteral nutrition and scheduled free water flushes, did not have the required labeling on their enteral feeding and free water flush bags. The facility's policy required that these bags be labeled with specific information, including the infusion rate, to ensure proper administration according to physician orders. However, multiple observations over several days revealed that both the enteral feeding bag and the free water flush bag lacked the necessary labeling of the infusion rate. Interviews with facility staff, including the Director of Nursing and the Administrator, confirmed that the bags should have been labeled with the infusion rate as per facility policy and physician orders. The failure to label the bags was consistently observed and acknowledged by staff, indicating noncompliance with established procedures for enteral feeding management.