Failure to Properly Store Nasal Cannula for Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with chronic respiratory failure and COPD, who required oxygen therapy via nasal cannula, did not have their nasal cannula properly stored in a bag when not in use. During an observation, the nasal cannula was found under a pile of clothes on the resident's wheelchair, rather than being bagged as required by facility policy and professional standards. The resident's care plan and physician orders specified the use of oxygen therapy, and the facility's policy outlined the need for safe and effective delivery of oxygen, including infection prevention measures such as bagging the nasal cannula when not in use. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the LVN on duty had not checked to ensure the nasal cannula was bagged at the start of her shift, and she indicated that CNAs were responsible for this task. The DON confirmed that nasal cannulas should be bagged when not in use to prevent the transmission of germs and stated that nurses are primarily responsible for checking this during their rounds. The failure to properly store the nasal cannula was identified through observations, interviews, and record review, and was not consistent with the resident's care plan or facility policy.