Failure to Ensure Proper Management of Enteral Feeding Pump
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a certified nursing assistant (CNA) paused a resident's enteral feeding pump to provide incontinence care and failed to restart the pump or notify a nurse to do so after the care was completed. The resident, a female with a history of stroke, inability to swallow requiring a gastric tube, and a tracheostomy, was entirely dependent on staff for activities of daily living and received all nutrition via her gastric tube as ordered by her physician. The physician's order specified a continuous feeding regimen using a stationary pump. During observation, the CNA paused the feeding pump before providing care and left the pump paused upon exiting the room, proceeding to round on other residents. The assistant director of nursing (ADON) confirmed that CNAs were not permitted to start, stop, or pause feeding pumps, as the formula was considered a medication. The facility did not have a policy addressing gastric tube feedings or management at the time of the incident.