Failure to Properly Date and Store Respiratory Disposables
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow its own policy regarding the dating and storage of respiratory disposables for two residents receiving respiratory care. For one resident with a history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Acute and Chronic Respiratory Failure, tracheostomy, and ventilator dependence, the inline suction catheter was observed to be undated during two separate observations. The respiratory therapist confirmed the catheter was not dated and was unsure when it had last been changed, and the Director of Respiratory Care acknowledged this was not in accordance with facility policy, which requires all inline suction catheters to be dated. For another resident with diagnoses including Acute Respiratory Failure with Hypoxia, COPD, and Atrial Fibrillation, an unused nasal cannula was found connected to the oxygen concentrator, undated, uncovered, and open to air. The Assistant Unit Manager confirmed the nasal cannula was not dated or stored in a plastic bag as required by facility policy. The Director of Respiratory Care also confirmed that respiratory disposables such as nasal cannulas should be dated and stored in plastic equipment bags when not in use.