Broken Oxygen Equipment Left in Use
Summary
The facility failed to ensure respiratory equipment was properly maintained for 2 residents who used oxygen therapy. R27’s records showed a diagnosis of saddle embolus and obstructive sleep apnea, with orders for oxygen at 2 liters per nasal cannula at rest and 4 liters with activity, along with CPAP use and daily distilled water changes. During multiple observations, R27’s oxygen concentrator in the room had broken plastic housing where the tubing connected, with a metal connector hanging outside the machine and internal green tubing visible. The broken condition remained unchanged across repeated observations, and the oxygen supply company representative stated broken concentrators should be reported and replaced, but there was no documentation that the facility requested a new concentrator for R27. R2’s records showed mild cognitive impairment, independence with most activities of daily living, and oxygen therapy orders including weekly tubing and humidifier bottle changes, oxygen saturation checks, respiratory assessments, and oxygen at 2 lpm via nasal cannula as needed for respiratory distress. During observation, R2 was lying in bed wearing nasal cannula while the oxygen concentrator on the floor had broken casing at the humidifier bottle attachment point. Bright pink and white emery boards were protruding from the machine and were being used by R2 to hold the water bottle in place. R2 stated she had placed the emery boards there because staff changed the tubing and filled the humidifier bottle, and she could not recall how long they had been in the machine. Staff who observed the equipment did not identify the broken casing or the emery boards as a problem at the time. An LPN stated she was not aware the concentrator casing was broken and did not know what the protruding object was. An RN stated the machine was functioning because only the plastic was broken and acknowledged the oxygen supply company had been made aware of the broken concentrator, though she was unsure when. The DON later observed both residents’ concentrators, stated she had not been aware R27’s concentrator was broken, and said she would expect broken equipment to be replaced and locked out so others cannot use it. The facility’s oxygen policy did not provide direction for broken equipment.
Penalty
Resources
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