Failure to Maintain Infection Control for Oxygen Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in infection control practices related to oxygen therapy equipment for three of ten sampled residents. In one instance, oxygen tubing with a nasal cannula attached was found on the floor of a resident's room, connected to an oxygen concentrator. A licensed nurse confirmed that the tubing and cannula should have been stored in a plastic bag when not in use and labeled with the date opened, but acknowledged that these procedures were not followed. Additionally, oxygen tubing for two other residents was found without any date labeling, contrary to facility policy which requires tubing to be labeled with the date opened and changed every seven days. Licensed nursing staff confirmed that the required labeling was missing and should have been completed at the time the tubing was opened. These lapses were directly observed and confirmed by staff during the survey.