Failure to Maintain Oxygen Equipment per Policy
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when the facility failed to provide appropriate respiratory care and maintain oxygen equipment for a resident with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, and depression. The resident had physician orders and care plans specifying that oxygen tubing and humidifier bottles should be changed weekly, in accordance with facility policy and best practices for infection control. However, during observations, it was found that the oxygen tubing in use was dated more than two weeks prior, indicating it had not been changed as required. Staff interviews confirmed that the oxygen line had not been changed according to the prescribed schedule, and the nurse acknowledged the oversight. The failure to follow physician orders and facility policy regarding the maintenance of oxygen equipment constituted a lapse in providing safe and appropriate respiratory care for the resident.