Failure to Provide Timely Respiratory Equipment Changes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate respiratory care for a resident with diagnoses including heart failure, anxiety, and respiratory failure. According to the facility's policy, oxygen tubing, masks, and cannulas are to be changed weekly and documented. Review of the resident's clinical record showed active physician orders for oxygen therapy via nasal cannula and administration of ipratropium-albuterol solution for respiratory symptoms. During observation, the resident was found receiving oxygen through tubing and using a nebulizer, both of which were dated more than two weeks prior, indicating they had not been changed as required by policy. Staff interviews confirmed the oversight, with an LPN acknowledging that the tubing should have been changed and the DON confirming the failure to provide appropriate respiratory care. The deficiency was identified for one of four residents reviewed, based on direct observation, record review, and staff interviews.