Failure to Perform Annual Preventative Maintenance on Oxygen Concentrators
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that annual preventative maintenance (PM) was performed on medical equipment, specifically oxygen concentrators, for two residents. One resident, with a history of cerebral infarction and physical debility, was receiving continuous supplemental oxygen via a concentrator that had a PM sticker indicating the last service was over a year overdue. Maintenance personnel confirmed that the equipment had not been serviced as required. Another resident, diagnosed with atherosclerotic heart disease and myocardial infarction, was also receiving continuous oxygen from a concentrator that was past its scheduled PM date. The nurse caring for this resident confirmed the equipment was overdue for maintenance. Further investigation revealed that the head of maintenance, who was responsible for coordinating annual biomedical servicing of medical equipment, was on leave at the time. Maintenance staff acknowledged that the oxygen concentrators throughout the facility were not up to date with their annual PM. According to facility policy, the Maintenance Director is responsible for maintaining a schedule to ensure all equipment is kept in a safe and operable condition. The lack of timely maintenance had the potential to impact the intended function of the medical devices used by the residents.