Failure to Maintain and Store Respiratory Equipment in a Sanitary Manner
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain and store respiratory equipment in a sanitary manner for a resident with multiple diagnoses, including dementia, respiratory failure, depression, and heart failure. Observations revealed that the resident was using a nasal cannula connected to an oxygen concentrator with a humidifier that was empty and not dated. Additionally, a nebulizer with visible condensation and residual medication was found lying on the resident's bed and bedside table during multiple observations. The resident reported that staff only added medication to the nebulizer and turned it on, without rinsing it out after use. The resident also mentioned experiencing a bloody nose, possibly related to the empty humidifier. Interviews with nursing staff indicated that humidifiers were replaced weekly, but there was no evidence that the humidifier in use was dated or replaced as required. Facility policy required daily checks and weekly replacement of humidifiers, as well as rinsing and air-drying nebulizers after each use, with proper storage. However, the observed practices did not align with these policies, as the equipment was not cleaned, dried, or stored appropriately, and humidifiers were not dated or maintained according to protocol.