Oxygen Cylinder Storage Deficiencies in Nurse Station Closets
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain gas equipment requirements in two of three nurse station closets. Specifically, the north and east oxygen storage closets were not designed and constructed to accommodate storage of over 300 cubic feet of oxygen cylinders, as required by NFPA 101 and NFPA 99 standards. Additionally, in the east oxygen closet, one oxygen cylinder was found unsecured at the time of the survey. These deficiencies were confirmed during an interview with the maintenance supervisor, who acknowledged the issues with the storage closets and the unsecured cylinder. No information was provided regarding any residents directly involved or affected at the time of the deficiency.
Plan Of Correction
At the time of surveyor identification, the unsecured oxygen cylinder was secured and the facility's oxygen cylinders were rearranged in the designed oxygen storage closets throughout the facility to ensure that the East and North oxygen storage closets did not have over 300 cubic feet of oxygen cylinders stored. No further action is needed. All staff will be re-educated that the oxygen cylinders must be secured appropriately and that there cannot be more than 300 cubic feet of oxygen cylinders stored in any of the oxygen storage closets. The Maintenance Director will do weekly monitoring throughout the facility to ensure that all the oxygen cylinders are secured appropriately and that none of the oxygen storage closets have over 300 cubic feet of oxygen cylinders stored. On identification, unsecured oxygen cylinders will be secured and if needed oxygen cylinders will be removed from storage closets to ensure that there is no more than 300 cubic feet of oxygen cylinders stored in any one oxygen storage closet.