Failure to Date and Replace Tube Feeding Equipment per Physician Orders
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to follow physician orders and standard nursing care practices regarding the management of tube feeding equipment for a resident receiving enteral nutrition. Specifically, on 12/18/25, the tube feeding syringe and graduate container at the resident's bedside, used for tube feeding flushes, residual checks, and administration, were not dated as required. The resident had physician orders for enteral feeding, including instructions to change and date the enteral irrigation syringe and graduate every night shift, and to discard them after 24 hours. Staff interviews confirmed that the equipment should have been dated daily and replaced according to protocol, but this was not done. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that the required dating had not occurred.