Failure to Label Nasal Cannula Tubing for Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with a history of congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and obstructive sleep apnea was observed receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula (NC) at 2 liters per physician order. During observation and interview, it was noted that the NC tubing in use was not labeled with a date to indicate when it was last changed. The Certified Nurse Assistant confirmed that the tubing was not labeled, and the Assistant Director of Nursing stated that NCs and other respiratory tubing should be labeled with the date for infection control purposes. A review of the facility's policy and procedure for oxygen administration indicated that nasal cannula tubing should be labeled and dated, and changed every 7 days by licensed nurses. The failure to label the NC tubing as required by facility policy was observed and confirmed through staff interviews and record review, resulting in a deficiency related to safe and appropriate respiratory care and infection control practices for the resident.