Failure to Administer Oxygen Therapy per Physician's Order
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that oxygen therapy was administered according to the physician's orders for one resident. The facility's Oxygen Administration Policy requires verification of a physician's order and documentation of the oxygen flow rate, route, and rationale. A review of the clinical record showed that the resident was admitted with respiratory failure and had a physician's order for oxygen at 4 liters per minute via nasal cannula for COPD. However, observations on two separate days revealed that the resident was receiving oxygen at 3 liters per minute instead of the prescribed 4 liters per minute. An LPN confirmed during observation that the oxygen flow was set at 3 liters per minute, not the ordered 4 liters. The Corporate Regional Nurse also confirmed that it is the facility's responsibility to ensure oxygen therapy is administered as prescribed.