Failure to Maintain Proper Respiratory Equipment Care and Documentation
Penalty
Summary
Two residents were found to have deficiencies in the provision of respiratory care. For one resident with a history of COPD, respiratory failure, obesity, hypoventilation, and obstructive sleep apnea, the BiPAP mask was observed sitting on the bedside table without being stored in a protective plastic bag as required by facility policy. The resident's care plan documented the use of oxygen therapy and BiPAP, and a physician order specified nightly BiPAP use with a filled humidifier chamber. The lack of proper storage for the BiPAP equipment was confirmed during an observation and interview with the RN Educator, who subsequently placed the mask in a labeled plastic bag. Another resident, admitted with COPD and interstitial lung disease, had a physician's order to change the oxygen mask, nasal cannula tubing, and humidifier bottle every Friday night shift. During an observation, the oxygen tubing and humidifier bottle were found undated, and it was confirmed by an LPN that there were no dates present. The LPN replaced and dated the items immediately after the observation. These findings were reviewed with facility leadership during the exit conference.