Failure to Date and Change Oxygen Tubing per Facility Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that oxygen tubing for residents receiving supplemental oxygen was dated to reflect when it was last changed and was not changed according to facility policy. Observations revealed that multiple residents with orders for supplemental oxygen, including those with diagnoses such as pneumonia, COPD, dementia, asthma, and heart failure, had oxygen tubing in use that was either undated or had not been changed within the required timeframe. Specifically, several residents' oxygen tubing lacked any date indicating when it was last replaced, and in one case, the tubing was labeled with a date showing it had not been changed for 19 days, exceeding the facility's policy of changing tubing every other week. Interviews with nursing staff confirmed awareness of the policy requiring oxygen tubing to be changed and dated, typically using tape to mark the date of change. However, staff acknowledged that the tubing in use for these residents was not compliant with this policy. Review of the facility's policy on oxygen storage confirmed the requirement for tubing to be changed every other week and dated accordingly, but this was not consistently followed for the residents reviewed.