Failure to Properly Store and Date Nebulizer Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident by not following its own infection control policy regarding the storage and dating of respiratory therapy equipment. Specifically, a nebulizer with mask and tubing was found in the resident's room undated and uncovered, not stored in a plastic bag as required by facility policy. This was observed on two separate occasions, with the equipment hanging on the wall near the resident's bed. The resident involved had multiple diagnoses, including dementia, anxiety, major depressive disorder, psychotic disorder with delusions, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and was care planned for respiratory function at risk for compromise. The resident had a physician's order for nebulizer treatments as needed, which had been discontinued prior to the observations. The Director of Nursing confirmed the improper storage and lack of dating of the nebulizer equipment during the surveyor's visit.